The family of Australian mom Crystal Beale is searching for answers after her death. Her children saw her for dinner, but then they never saw her alive again. They believe the missing mom may have been meeting with a former partner, but that doesn’t explain how she ended up in a river.
No one seems to know how she got there. Police are continuing to investigate how Beale could have possibly died. Details still are emerging to help them create a full picture of her last hours.
The 49-year-old had dinner with her two children on the night of February 21, 2025. Police believe that after dinner, Beale met up with a former partner, the Brisbane Times reported. The following morning, a rower found her body in the Brisbane River. Police believe her body may have been in the water for about six hours.
“At the time of her discovery, there weren’t any obvious injuries, which is why it was originally reported as non-suspicious,” said Detective Acting Inspector Rod Watts, per the newspaper. He said that after the postmortem “we do now believe the death is suspicious.”
The Australian Broadcasting Company reported that Watts said currently there aren’t any people of interest “per se.” Her ex-partner is one of the many leads police are following. He also said that a random attack is still something police are considering.
“At this point in time, we’re still trying to piece together what’s happened,” Watts said. “We don’t believe that she’s died under natural circumstances.”
It is still unknown how Beale died or where she went into the river. Police are still waiting for the results of a full toxicology report. As a way to gain more leads, police released CCTV footage of Beale at the restaurant, wearing a long white dress.
Crystal Beale’s 22-year-old daughter, Charlie-Rose Wagner, spoke with 7 News about her mother. “At first we were assured that her death was non suspicious, this has now taken a horrific turn and I will never be the same again,” she said.
“My family and I are desperate for answers regarding my mother’s passing,” she said, imploring people to “help bring peace to my family.” A GoFundMe account has been created by Beale’s brother, asking for funds to have a wake for Beale and to buy memorial jewelry for her children containing her ashes. It has surpassed its goal.
