Man Charged in Brisbane River Murder

Detectives from the Queensland Police Service have charged a 49-year-old man with the murder of Crystal Beale, whose body was discovered in the Brisbane River in February. The arrest follows an extensive seven-month investigation by the Dutton Park Criminal Investigations Branch and the Homicide Investigation Unit.

Crystal Beale, 49, was found deceased in the Brisbane River by a passerby early on February 22. The investigation, termed Operation Xray Saba, sought to unravel the circumstances leading to her untimely death and to provide answers to her grieving family.

Detectives allege that on February 21, Beale left a family dinner with the accused, a West End resident known to her. She was last seen leaving his vehicle on Ryan Street in West End. Police claim that the accused then murdered Beale and disposed of her body in the river.

The breakthrough came after investigators meticulously reviewed over a thousand hours of CCTV footage and made numerous public appeals for information. A search warrant at a Maudsland residence led to the man’s arrest early on September 22. He faces charges of murder and misconduct with a corpse and is scheduled to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court.

Detective Inspector Wayne Francis emphasized the case’s impact on the community, stating, “It is reprehensible what happened to Crystal. We were determined to find justice for her family.” The investigation remains ongoing as authorities continue to gather evidence.