More than three decades after the killing, a coroner has ordered a fresh investigation into one of Australia's most contested murder cases. The death of 12-year-old Leanne Holland has remained one of the most controversial and fiercely debated prosecutions in Queensland's criminal history.
Leanne disappeared from her family home in Goodna, Ipswich, in September 1991, before her beaten and partially naked body was found days later in nearby bushland. Her sister's boyfriend, Graham Stafford, was charged with her murder, later convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
A coroner has ordered the murder case of 12-year-old Leanne Holland to be re-examined more than three decades later. Graham Stafford has long maintained his innocence following his release in 2009. Investigators are revisiting evidence in a bid to uncover what really happened to Leanne.
Stafford spent 14 years behind bars before being released on parole, with his conviction ultimately quashed by the Court of Appeal in 2009 after it found he had not received a fair trial. A retrial was ordered but never proceeded, and no one else has ever been charged over Leanne's death.
Despite the overturned conviction, a 2012 police review concluded Stafford remained the most likely offender. The case has since been the subject of ongoing appeals, investigations and public scrutiny, with questions continuing to surround key pieces of evidence.
Former police officer turned private investigator Graeme Crowley has long campaigned for Stafford's innocence, arguing the wrong man was jailed while the real killer remains at large. "He's very excited about it. He always wanted an inquest. He wants to show the world that he didn't do it," Crowley told 7NEWS. "I know what the evidence is and I'm comfortable that the wrong person was convicted. And I am unhappy that the right person has not been convicted of that murder."
Former detective Paul Crowley has long questioned aspects of the original investigation. Stafford has consistently denied any involvement. 7NEWS presenter Michael Usher interviewed Stafford in 2017. "I didn't murder Leanne in this house. I didn't murder Leanne anywhere," Stafford told Usher back then.
Investigators previously pointed to evidence including Leanne's blood found in Stafford's car, a maggot in the boot consistent with those on her body, and tyre tracks near the scene matching the vehicle. Leanne's family has maintained their belief that Stafford is responsible and said in a rare public statement the continued campaigning had caused them deep distress. "This continual campaigning is incredibly distressing to our family, and we would ask for it to stop."
The coroner has not yet outlined what aspects of the case will be re-examined, or whether any new evidence has emerged. Queensland Police are expected to play a central role in the renewed investigation, with a case officer likely to be appointed from the Homicide Squad or Cold Case unit.
