Man charged following 1999 murder of Gerhard Bruno Wagner

A 53-year-old man from Brisbane’s northern suburbs was today charged following the suspected murder of Gerhard Bruno Wagner in 1999.

Gerhard Wagner was last seen on 7 January 1999 departing his friend’s boat workshop at Hemmant on his 1986 Kawasaki Virago 750 motorcycle.

Today’s arrest is the culmination of a protracted investigation by detectives from State Crime Command’s Homicide Investigation Unit and Brisbane Region and with assistance and support from the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Detective Superintendent Steve Holahan of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Group acknowledged the commitment of investigators and the assistance provided by the public and particularly Gerhard’s family.

“While I’m confident the arrest will provide some comfort to Gerhard’s family, who joined us in appealing for information earlier this year, we are still committed to bringing closure to the family,” Detective Superintendent Steve Holahan said.

“This case highlights the fact police will continue to investigate unsolved crimes regardless of when they were committed. I would certainly encourage anyone who has information that could assist us in locating Gerhard’s remains or in fact, any unsolved crime to contact police or Crime Stoppers,” Detective Superintendent Holahan said.

The 53-year-old man has been charged with one count each of murder, interfere with a corpse and stealing of a vehicle. He will appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today.

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