Join today and you can easily save your favourite articles, join in the conversation and comment, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox.
Join today and you can easily save your favourite articles, join in the conversation and comment, plus select which news your want direct to your inbox.
A Polish nanny brutally beaten and raped north of Brisbane last year has died in a car crash in her home country days before her alleged attacker was charged.
The Queensland Police Service confirmed the 24-year-old woman died this week after returning to Poland in December.
A 28-year-old man is charged with the rape and assault of a Polish nanny in Petrie in November. Nine News
Acting Detective Superintendent Mick O'Dowd said it was "a very sad set of circumstances" and all the police involved had been moved by the news, which came a day after police charged a 28-year-old Petrie man with rape, assault with intent to commit rape and acts intended to cause grievous bodily harm.
The man is accused of grabbing the 24-year-old while she was out walking in the Moreton Bay suburb of Petrie about 8.30pm on November 25, and bashing her so savagely in a council car park that he broke her nose and left her with facial injuries that required surgery. Police said she was also raped.
The acting detective superintendent said all the police involved had been moved by the news of the victim's death. Photo: Glenn Hunt
Superintendent O'Dowd said Queensland police were making inquiries with Polish authorities as to when and where the car crash happened.
He added that the case against the accused would continue and could not say whether the victim knew police had caught her alleged attacker, but said she was aware the investigation was progressing.
Advertisement
The alleged attacker was denied bail at a closed hearing at Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday and had his matter adjourned until April 3.
It was understood the offences he had been charged with carry life imprisonment.
During their investigations, police set up a mannequin dressed in similar exercise gear to what the young woman had been wearing when she was attacked.
Superintendent O'Dowd praised Petrie detectives for "a good job" on "a methodical and detailed investigation".
Police said support was being provided to the Polish woman's family and friends.