A man has been charged with the alleged murder of 49-year-old Sunshine Coast mother Crystal Beale in February.
Detectives from Dutton Park Criminal Investigations Branch and the Homicide Investigation Unit have charged a 49-year-old West End man who is understood to be Ms Beale’s former partner.
Following extensive investigations, detectives conducted a search warrant at an Equestrian Drive address in Maudsland, on the Gold Coast, just after 5am this morning.
The man was arrested there and has since been charged with one count each of murder (domestic violence offence) and misconduct with a corpse.
He was expected to appear before Brisbane Magistrates Court today.
Ms Beale’s body was located in the Brisbane River by a member of the public about 5.40am on Saturday, February 22.
Operation Xray Saba was established to piece together not only what happened that night, but Ms Beale’s life leading up to her alleged murder.
It is alleged that at 8.30pm on Friday, February 21, Ms Beale left a family dinner at a Sunnybank restaurant and travelled with the man in a car to West End.
Ms Beale’s last alleged sighting was by the man when she left the car at 9.30pm on Ryan Street, West End.
Police will allege the man murdered Crystal and moved her body into the Brisbane River where it was later located.
“It is reprehensible what happened to Crystal,” Detective Inspector Wayne Francis said.
“Over the past seven months detectives have been tirelessly investigating every avenue possible to find answers for her family.
“We were not going to give up until we could provide these answers and get justice for Crystal.”
