Man charged with murdering former partner, dumping body in river

Detectives have made a breakthrough in the case of Queensland mother Crystal Beale, charging her former husband with her murder.

Ms Beale, 49, was last seen alive in West End in February. The next morning, her body was discovered in the Brisbane River near the Brisbane Corso.

She had been at a dinner in Sunnybank with her family, police said, and was dropped off by her former partner, Jesse Wahlen Beale, on Ryan Street in West End about 9.30pm.

Police will allege she was murdered that evening around Ryan Street. They believe her body was then taken to the river near Orleigh Park in West End, South Brisbane District Detective Inspector Wayne Francis said on Monday.

At the time, police released footage showing Ms Beale wearing a long, white dress and carrying a brown leather satchel. Her death was initially ruled as non-suspicious by police because her body had “no obvious injuries”.

On Monday morning, police confirmed they had arrested Mr Beale at an Equestrian Drive address in Maudsland, a northern suburb of the Gold Coast, about 5am.

He was charged with one count each of murder (domestic violence offence) and misconduct with a corpse.

Francis said police would allege Mr Beale moved his former wife’s body and put it in the river.

When asked about the welfare of Ms Beale’s family, Francis said he believed they were doing the best they could, given the circumstances.

“They’ve lost their mother through horrible circumstances,” he said. “No matter what police action or court action occurs subsequently, they can’t get their mother back.”

Francis said there was no domestic violence order in place at the time of the victim’s death, but police would allege there was a history of domestic violence in the relationship.

He would not elaborate on how much contact the pair had had before Ms Beale’s death.

He said the investigation was protracted and complex, with thousands of hours of CCTV being reviewed by police.

One element of the investigation was a white Ford Ranger that was considered a vehicle of interest.

“It’s a complex investigation, there’s also forensic aspects of it and that will all become clearer as the matter proceeds through trial,” he said.

The accused did not appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court for the first mention of his case.

His lawyer made no application for bail, and he was remanded in custody until October 20. Under Queensland law, those charged with murder can only apply for bail in the Supreme Court.

Shortly after Ms Beale’s body was found, her daughter Charlie-Rose Wagner said the family wanted answers.

She described her mother as the most beautiful woman. “She was my everything,” she said.

Police urged anyone with CCTV not yet provided to officers to come forward.

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