Arrests over the murder of Max Waller, Broadbeach

With the assistance of the Attorney General’s Department and through the Australian Federal Police International Network and National Anti-Gangs Squad, Queensland Police have extradited a 22-year-old man back to Australia from the United States of America to face charges relating to the murder of 28-year-old Max Waller.

Operation Lima Leyland has been an ongoing police investigation by detectives from the Gold Coast CIB, Homicide Investigation Group and Taskforce Maxima into the death of Mr Waller at Broadbeach on June 23, 2013.

It is alleged Mr Waller had been visiting friends at Carmel by the Sea Apartments on Old Burleigh Road at Broadbeach when he left the premises in the early hours of that morning to attend a meeting with other people. It is alleged he returned a short time later having sustained a number of stab wounds.

A 20-year-old man and a 27-year-old man have also been charged with the murder of Mr Waller. It will be alleged they met with Mr Waller on June 23, 2013.

All three men will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court on Friday 22 August 2014.

Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson said that this has been a long and difficult investigation spanning more than 12 months and is a testament to the dedication of the detectives and other police officers assigned to the case.

“Their meticulous and unrelenting efforts have resulted in the commencement of proceedings against three men for Mr Waller’s murder,” said Detective Superintendent Hutchinson.

Task Force Maxima Commander, Detective Superintendent Mick Niland said these actions clearly reflect the Queensland Police Service’s commitment with partner agencies in the US and elsewhere to dismantle serious criminal activity by criminal motorcycle gangs and return these gang members back to Australia to face justice.

The Crime and Corruption Commission (CCC) and the former Crime and Misconduct Commission made a significant contribution to the investigation, gathering important evidence through coercive hearings.

The CCC called 38 witnesses into hearings, starting in September 2013. Five of those witnesses have been jailed for contempt.

Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson said the case highlighted the value of the CCC’s coercive hearings in complex investigations.

“The CCC’s hearings assisted investigators to establish the motive for this crime, identify the vehicle used, piece together the timeline of events prior to the alleged murder and recover valuable evidence which had been disposed of,” said Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson.

A spokesperson for the Attorney General’s Department said that the surrender of the man overseas is the result of ongoing cooperation between the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments, and our counterparts in the United States of America.

Anyone with information which could assist with this matter should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via 1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

Crime Stoppers is a registered charity and community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.

For all non-urgent police reporting or general police inquiries contact Policelink on 131 444 or Policelink.qld.gov.au 24hrs a day.