Charged with 2004 Belfield murder

On Sunday, February 8, 2004, 34-year-old Jason Palmer was reported missing after leaving his home on Baltimore Street two days prior.
Three weeks later his body was found weighed down with rocks and submerged in the Nepean River at Menangle and a post-mortem determined he died from multiple stab wounds.
Local police and Homicide Squad detectives conducted numerous inquiries at the time; however, no one was charged over his murder.
Following a 2007 inquest, the NSW Coroner determined, Mr Palmer’s death was caused by stab wounds inflicted by a person at a unit on Barremma Road, Lakemba, and the case was referred to the Unsolved Homicide Team for re-investigation.
In 2022, detectives from the Unsolved Homicide Team commenced an assessment of the investigation which led to the re-investigation under Strike Force Blair.
Following extensive inquiries, strike force detectives arrested a 52-year-old Queensland man following a vehicle stop on Benson Road, Ingleburn, just before 2pm yesterday.
He was charged with murder.
Police will allege in court that the two men were known to each other.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty, paid tribute to the persistence and focus of detectives in what was a complex investigation.
“It’s been 20 years since Mr Palmer, who was originally from the UK, is alleged to have been murdered. He was a husband and father, and police had always remained hopeful of an arrest,” he said.
“This arrest once again demonstrates that investigators will not rest until there’s a resolution for unsolved matters, and to provide answers to families.”
As inquiries under Strike Force Blair continue, detectives believe that members of the community may have information that could assist this investigation and urge they make contact with Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.