Man charged with murder after mother's body found in river following family dinner

A man has been charged with murder over the death of mother-of-two Crystal Beale, whose body was found in a river earlier this year in Brisbane.

Police combed through 1000 hours of CCTV footage in a “complex and protracted” seven-month investigation after Beale, 49, was found dead on Saturday, February 22.

A member of the public saw Beale’s body in the Brisbane River about 5.40am and contacted police.

Crystal Beale was found in the Brisbane River by a member of the public at 5.40am on February 22.
Crystal Beale was found in the Brisbane River by a member of the public at 5.40am on February 22. (Queensland Police)

Investigators believe that at 8.30pm on Friday, February 1, Beale left a family dinner at a Sunnybank restaurant and travelled with a 49-year-old West End man, who was known to her.

He was allegedly the last person to see Beale alive when she got out of the car at 9.30pm on Ryan Street, West End.

But police now allege the man killed Beale and put her body into the Brisbane River.

Police searched an Equestrian Drive address in Maudsland at 5.11am today.

A 49-year-old man was arrested and charged with domestic violence murder and misconduct with a corpse.

Detective Inspector Wayne Francis could not confirm the nature of Beale’s relationship with the man but said police will allege there was a history of domestic violence.

Francis said Beale’s children were doing “as best they can” given the circumstances.

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

Queensland Police Detective Inspector Wayne Francis
Queensland Police Detective Inspector Wayne Francis. (9News)

Police are still keen for anyone with information to still come forward.

Francis said a White Ford Ranger was identified as a car of interest during the investigation.

“I would just like to thank the investigators involved for their dedication and professionalism,” he added.

The charged man is expected to appear in court today.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

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