Detectives from the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team (CCIT) have travelled to Sydney to seek the extradition of a man arrested in New South Wales on 2 January by virtue of a Queensland arrest warrant for the alleged murder of Meaghan Louise Rose on the Sunshine Coast in 1997.
On 18 July 1997, 25-year-old Meaghan was located deceased at the base of Point Cartwright Cliffs at Mooloolaba.
Following a renewed public appeal in 2023, CCIT detectives re-examining the case, attended a Victorian address on June 25 to speak to a man in relation to the investigation.
The following day, June 26, his vehicle was located abandoned at Portland.
CCTV identified the man was in Port Fairy on June 26, before being sighted in Waurn Ponds and Shepparton on June 27.
In July 2023, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for a 72-year-old man in relation to the murder of Meaghan.
There were no further confirmed sightings since, but investigations continued, alongside a number of media campaigns to appeal to the public for any information in relation to his whereabouts.
As a result of the media coverage, police acted on information from a member of the public and the man was arrested in New South Wales.
At approximately 8.10am on Tuesday January 2, a 72-year-old man wanted on a Queensland arrest warrant was arrested by NSW Police at an address at Kenthurst Road, Dural.
He was taken to Hornsby Police Station where he was charged with assault police officer in execution of duty without aggravated bodily harm, deal with identity information to commit etc indictable offence, possess identity information to commit etc indictable offence, and apprehension on warrant issued in another state.
The man is appearing at the Paramatta Court where QPS detectives will apply for his extradition to Queensland.
The New South Wales Police Force, Victoria Police and Australian Federal Police are thanked for their assistance throughout the investigation.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting or call 131 444.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
