Keith Lees to Stand Trial for 1997 Murder of Meaghan Rose
A cold case on the Sunshine Coast has been revived nearly 30 years after a 25-year-old health worker’s death was ruled a suicide.
Keith Lees has been committed to stand trial for the alleged murder of Meaghan Louise Rose, whose body was found at the bottom of the cliffs at Point Cartwright on July 18, 1997. Her death was initially ruled as suicide, but cold case detectives reopened the investigation in 2022.
Magistrate Christopher Callaghan ruled there was enough evidence to proceed to trial after hearing two days of evidence. Mr Lees declined to enter a plea or make a statement.
The Witness Testimony
Simone Burt testified via video link that Mr Lees told her Ms Rose was suicidal in February 1997. She stated that Ms Rose became distressed and illogical around Mr Lees. Ms Burt also recalled Ms Rose being jealous of a female friend of Mr Lees.
The Life Insurance Policy
Mr Lees was the beneficiary of Ms Rose’s $250,000 life insurance policy. The policy excluded suicide coverage until 13 months after inception. Ms Rose died three weeks after that period ended.
Ms Burt testified that Mr Lees spoke about the policy before and after Ms Rose’s death, stating he appeared to be bragging about receiving the money.
The Defence Statement
Defence lawyer Simon Lewis told the court that Mr Lees was not trying to keep the insurance policy hidden, and it was not a dirty secret.