‘Horrific’: New details after Crystal Beale found dead in Brisbane River as homicide investigation launched

New details have been revealed after the body of a “much loved” Queensland mother was found in the Brisbane River, with a homicide investigation launched weeks after her death was ruled as non-suspicious. The body of Crystal Beale, 49, was found by a rower in the Brisbane River near the Yeronga Reach on February 22, with emergency services called to the scene about 5.40am. Ms Beale, a mother of two who lived on the Sunshine Coast, was visiting her family in West End when she was dropped off in a car at a Ryan St location, Detective Acting Inspector Rod Watts said at a press conference on Wednesday. Inspector Watts said Ms Beale, who was not in a relationship, was with her former partner before she went missing. “She was visiting family and we believe … she left a man known to her and that’s where she’s gone missing, and that’s what we’re trying to piece together, her movements after that,” Inspector Watts said. “(The man) was a former partner.” Inspector Watts said there was an expired domestic violence order between Ms Beale and her former partner but nothing current. “He’s one of a number of lines of inquiry that we’re following through,” Inspector Watts said. “We don’t have any persons of interest per se, we’re following out a number of lines of inquiry. This particular investigation is focused around that Orleigh Park area. “We know that she was at Sunnybank with her family and friends a few hours prior to going missing and then she’s gone to West End where she’s last seen and we don’t know where she’s gone into the river or how she’s gone into the river.” He said police were also considering whether Ms Beale’s death could have been a “random attack”. Ms Beale was known to police but there was “nothing of significance to make her a victim or a target of this attack, if in fact it was an attack”. There was no suggestion of a weapon being used in Ms Beale’s death and police are still awaiting firm toxicology results. “A post-mortem conducted hasn’t identified a cause of death but we don’t believe that she’s died under natural circumstances,” Inspector Watts said. “At the time of her discovery there weren’t any obvious injuries, which is why it was originally reported as non-suspicious. “Of course, finding someone deceased in the river is confronting, but as the police and the paramedics (found) at the time, there was no indication to us that this was anything more than a tragic accident.” Family ‘struggling’ after death Ms Beale was described as a “much-loved mother and friend”. “Her death in these circumstances is horrific and we’re committed to seeking justice for her and her family,” Inspector Watts said. She was the mother of a 22-year-old daughter and a 15-year-old son who have been “struggling” since their mother’s death. “It’s quite traumatic for them both, and for all the family in fact, to go missing in these circumstances,” Inspector Watts said. “Three weeks (later) now, we’re still trying to piece together – they’re with us along the journey trying to give us as much information as they can, but at this point in time we’re still seeking answers. “They want answers and so do we.” Police believe Ms Beale was last seen alive at West End on February 21. Inspector Watts earlier said police believed Ms Beale was near the Brisbane River at Orleigh Park and on Ryan St in West End late on February 21 and appealed to anyone who might have been in the area or seen any suspicious behaviour to come forward. “As this is an ongoing investigation, police are limited in what details we can disclose, but we are confident people saw Crystal on the night and they have information that will assist with our inquiries,” Inspector Watts said. “We are urging anyone with any information, no matter how small, to contact police.” Police have released a CCTV image of Ms Beale from February 21 at a Sunnybank restaurant. She was wearing a long, close-fitted white dress with a brown leather shoulder satchel. She’s described as being about 165cm tall of caucasian appearance with a slim build and long brown hair.