Keith Lees has been charged with the 27-year-old alleged murder of his partner Meaghan Louise Rose, following an almost two-year-long, multi-state manhunt. Rose’s body was found at the bottom of the Point Cartwright cliffs in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland about 7 am on July 18, 1997. The 25-year-old resided at a unit in Marcoola with her de facto partner Lees, then 45, and his young child.
Rose reportedly left the unit in her vehicle about 8 pm on July 17, 1997. Her vehicle, which contained several personal items, was later found in a nearby car park. Queensland Police initially ruled her death to be a suicide, but later approved a $50,000 reward for information about her death in July 2023 after new evidence, including the discovery of a life insurance policy taken out prior to her death, suggested her death was suspicious.
During the re-examination of the case, investigators spoke with Lees at an address in Victoria on June 25, 2023. The next day, his vehicle was found abandoned, prompting Victoria Police to launch a search and rescue operation. Lees allegedly provided false identification when spotted by police at Port Fairy and later purchased new clothes at Waurn Ponds shopping center on June 27. Authorities believed he was trying to evade capture and possibly seeking casual work.
On January 2, 2024, after nearly two years of searching for Lees, he was finally arrested by NSW Police at his residence on Kenthurst Road, Dural. He was charged with the murder warrant and also faced additional charges for dealing with identity information to commit indictable offences and for allegedly attempting to bite a police officer during his arrest. His bail was refused, and he is scheduled to appear before Parramatta Local Court.
This event not only stirred emotions among investigators but also compelled family members of Rose to make public appeals for justice. Wren Dawnsong, Lees' child, expressed heartbreak for Meaghan’s family during this time. “It’s been more than 20 years now, Meaghan’s family deserve justice,” Dawnsong said, emphasizing her desire for answers. Christine Richards, Rose's older sister, similarly urged the public for assistance: “Help us to bring justice for Meaghan after all this time, please help us let her rest in peace.”
Detectives from the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team have worked tirelessly to bring this case back to light after it was reopened following years of stagnation. After significant media coverage and public outreach, additional information led to Lees’ eventual capture. The detectives faced numerous challenges; the initial findings deemed the case non-suspicious, resulting in no substantial investigative steps taken at the time.
Queensland Police, after resuming investigations, stated they were approaching all original witnesses and even revisiting their findings. A $500,000 reward was later offered for any information leading to an arrest, which significantly increased public interest and led to multiple leads. With the news of Lees' arrest now public, his family is grappling with complex feelings of relief and uncertainty, compounded by personal family troubles.
“A little bit exhausted is probably the best word,” Fiona Ratcliffe, Meaghan's sister, remarked after the latest developments. “Yesterday, when we got word there were tears of joy, I was numb, it was like, is this real?” The emotional toll of this long ordeal has weighed heavily on the family, with Ratcliffe mentioning the unfortunate state of their mother who is reportedly unwell.
Overall, this case highlights not only the resolve of law enforcement to pursue justice across generations but also showcases the human side of these investigations, as family members continue to seek closure. Keith Lees is now poised to face the legal system as Queensland Police prepare to apply for his extradition to face charges related to Rose's death, finally allowing her family the hope of justice after nearly 30 years.
Moving forward, the public and authorities alike are eager to see the next steps as the case progresses through the courts. The situation brings forth both hard lessons about long-standing unsolved cases and the enduring impact of unresolved grief on families.