The plot thickens in Amber Haigh case
Less than a week after the million-dollar reward for information was announced, a couple has been arrested in relation to the disappearance of Amber Haigh in 2002.
Robert Samuel Greves and Anne Margaret Greeves appeared in Cowra Local Court on charges for murder, with a second charge laid against Mr Geeves for aggravated sexual assault of someone with a serious intellectual disability, as reported by the ABC.
The court heard that police would tender evidence that Mr Geeves bought a chainsaw shortly after the alleged murder, along with phone intercepts that included the words, “Have you taken the rest of her up there?”
Mr Geeves appealed for bail, with his lawyer arguing that the case against him was circumstantial and that he would need time to find his own witnesses if he was refused.
With 17 pages of evidence, 20 witnesses, and phone intercepts of the couple talking about how to dispose of the body around the time of Ms Haigh’s disappearance, Magistrate Jillian Kiely refused Mr Geeves’ application.
“There’s a very strong circumstantial case based on the facts before me,” she said, as reported by Central Western Daily.
“There is a very lengthy and detailed background of events leading up to certain behaviours allegedly displayed by the defendant towards the young woman.
“There are telephone intercept materials very soon after her disappearance suggestive of potential discussions of disposal of remains or disposal of property.
“Conversations where he is asking the co-accused not to roll on him and saying he doesn’t want to go to jail.”
In one recorded conversation, Ms Kiely said Ms Geeves said: “Where are we going to take the rest of her now?”, to which Ms Kiely said Mr Geeves replied: “Somewhere close to here”.
Ms Geeves, who separated from Mr Geeves eight years ago but remained friends with him, appeared separately and didn’t apply for release, with her case then adjourned until May 17.
Ms Haigh, who was 18 at the time, disappeared on June 5, 2002 and was reported missing two weeks later after she didn’t return to her home in Kingsvale, NSW.
A 2011 Coronial inquest found Amber to have died, but a review of the case in 2020 resulted in the investigation re-commencing.
Image: NSW Police