The Queensland government is offering a $500,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the unsolved death of father Francis Patrick Foley.
On or about December 23, 2008, Foley was last observed at his residence in the Reward Fossicking region close to Rubyvale, west of Emerald.
The 62-year-old went Christmas shopping that day with a neighbor at the Emerald Central Business District before going back home.
Following local flooding, the same neighbor later visited Foley’s home on December 28 to see how he was doing. While there, they discovered an exploded gas bottle and Foley’s wallet lying in the carport.
Foley was nowhere to be found. At the location, police discovered blood that was subsequently determined to be Foley’s.
Since then, there have been roughly 100 police statements taken and 150 police inquiries.
Several neighbors responded to a door knock and stated that they heard what they thought to be gunshots on the afternoon and evening of either December 23 or December 24.
Shaun Charlton, Foley’s son, informed the reporters today that he hasn’t seen his father in 15 years.
Charlton remarked, “I’m from a tiny town, I know the kind of town Rubyvale is, and I know people know. Please assist me in finding my father’s killer and assist my family in doing the same.
According to police, investigations revealed that the home’s front security door and gas bottle damage were consistent with being struck by a shotgun blast.
Foley was thought to be dead when Mackay Coroner David O’Connell returned findings in April 2013, however no evidence could be found to link anyone to Foley’s death.
In July 2022, human remains were discovered by a gem hunter in Sheep Station Creek, roughly one kilometer downstream from Foley’s land. Police began an investigation into Foley’s death when the remains were recognized as being those of Foley.
Around 2003, Foley relocated to the Rubyvale region and began working in a variety of trades, including carpentry, construction, and auto repair.
He was looking after a fossicking lease for a person who lived out of state at the time of his disappearance.
Foley was known to own several priceless gemstones, despite the fact that it is unlikely that he was a gem miner.
The area where Foley’s remains were discovered today is being searched once more by police.
Police are optimistic that the problem can be resolved, according to Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell.
“Someone out there knows what happened to Foley, and they now have 500,000 reasons to come forward and speak to police,” said Kentwell.
“Anyone with knowledge of Foley’s whereabouts on December 23, 2008, or who may have information relating to this investigation, is encouraged to contact police,” reads a statement from the department.
The Queensland government is offering a reward of $500,000 for information that results in the capture and conviction of the murderer or murderers.
The government incentive program also provides an option for immunity from prosecution for any accomplice—who is not the murderer—who first provides such information.
