Mick Peet feels he will finally be able to get some closure after confirmation that bones found at Butlers Falls belonged to his murdered daughter Lateesha Nolan.
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Police confirmed through DNA analysis that bones discovered during an extensive search in early December belonged to the mother-of-four, who was murdered by Malcolm Naden on January 4, 2005.
Mick, who lives with his son in Bundaberg, Queensland, said he found out before Christmas that tests had positively identified Lateesha and had felt a mixture of relief and comfort.
“It was good news to find out that it was Lateesha. They [police] couldn’t tell me much else, they were waiting on a coroner’s report but it was a relief,” he said.
“There has been a lot of years leading up to this, it’s been a long time coming.
“I’m hoping it brings closure. It’s good to finally know the truth. I’ve said before, we didn’t know if Malcolm had really been telling the truth when he said he buried her at Butler’s Falls.”
The search conducted by police on December 6 and 7 was sparked by the discovery of a femur bone by a member of the public in November.
Police discovered a number of bones and bone fragments.
“They found a leg bone, some arm bones and a neck bone,” Mick said.
“Police have stopped the searches at the moment but if someone finds another sign of her, they might look again.”
Mr Peet said he understood it would be nearly impossible to find all of Lateesha, given the time that has passed since she was buried there by Naden and the location on the edge of the Macquarie River.
“I still hope they can find more of Lateesha, it would be good to have her back. Unfortunately having three floods go through there in the last 12 years is going to make it difficult,” he said.
However he said it didn’t stop him hoping that further discoveries could be made.
“It is good having the result, I’m pleased with that but I still wait for the phone call to say more of her has been found,” he said.
“I find myself wondering when the phone starts ringing if it is someone to say more bones have been found.”
After a quiet celebration to bring in the new year, Mick said he hoped 2017 would have more good news than bad. He intends to come back to Dubbo soon.
