A 72-year-old Sydney man has been extradited to Queensland after his arrest last week in connection with the alleged 1997 murder of Meaghan Louise Rose.
Keith Lees was apprehended in Dural, in Sydney’s north-west, nearly two decades after authorities issued a warrant for his arrest.
The 25-year-old nursing assistant’s body was found at the base of cliffs at Point Cartwright on the Sunshine Coast in July 1997. Initially believed to be a suicide, the case was reopened in 2022.
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In 2023, police offered a $500,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The 72-year-old was arrested on unrelated charges in New South Wales before the extradition process began.
These charges included assaulting a police officer and two identity fraud offences.
During his court appearance in Hornsby Local Court on Thursday, Lees did not resist the extradition order. Magistrate Christopher Longley granted the request for his transfer to Queensland. Lees is expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court.
His defense lawyer did not contest the extradition, and the ABC reports he is expected to face further questioning in relation to the alleged murder of Meaghan Rose.
Authorities have yet to confirm whether additional charges will be laid against Lees in relation to the identity fraud case, but the primary focus remains on his involvement in the death of Meaghan Rose.
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