The family of alleged murderer Malcolm Naden is distressed, apprehensive and looking for answers after the sudden end of the six-and-a-half year manhunt for Australia’s most wanted man.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The combined force of the police dog unit and tactical operations unit took Naden into custody on a private property near Gloucester just after midnight yesterday.
At 3am Margaret Walker received the news from police. A short time later the metropolitan media started to telephone.
She is the aunt of Naden and his missing cousin Lateesha Nolan and mother-in-law to murder victim Kristy Scholes.
“The arrest was a big surprise,’’ Ms Walker told the Daily Liberal.
“We all feel shocked and want answers.’’
Ms Walker said the family was pleased Naden had been brought in alive but emotions were mixed “because it doesn’t seem real’’.
“Hopefully police will be able to find out if Malcolm did something to Teesh (Lateesha),’’ she said.
“If he didn’t do it then police can start concentrating on someone else.’’
Ms Walker said the family had not been sure the man on the run in the Barrington Tops was really Naden.
“Police said it was him but we couldn’t be certain,’’ she said.
“When I saw pictures of Malcolm being captured it was a shock to see him looking like that.
“I’ve known Malcolm all his life and he was always such a good boy. He worked hard and used to do everything for Mum and Dad (his grandparents Jack and Florence Nolan) when he lived with them.
“It’s good and bad and all mixed up.
“We don’t know what happened to Teesh. We are waiting to hear what Malcolm has to say.’’
And will he talk?
“I don’t know,’’ Ms Walker admitted.
“To me, I don’t think so.’’
Lateesha Nolan was last seen at her grandmother’s home in Bunglegumbie Road, West Dubbo on January 4, 2005.
She was then aged 25 and described as 165cm tall, of medium build and complexion with green/hazel eyes and brown hair.
Ms Nolan’s car was found abandoned near the Macquarie River the day after her disappearance.
Despite extensive police investigations Ms Nolan has never been found.
Family members firmly believe she did not plan to disappear.
They said she was devoted to her children Shaqkayla, Jayden, Erica and Kiesha.
Ms Nolan’s wallet was located near the Macquarie River at Devil’s Elbow in October last year.
Her father Mick Peet fears she was harmed and tossed into the river or buried under a tree.
The body of Kristy Scholes was found in Malcolm Naden’s bedroom at his grandparents’ Bunglegumbie Road house on June 23, 2005. Police revealed she had been strangled.