Man Denies Involvement in Ex-Partner's Suspicious Death on Queensland Beach

The former partner of Payge Leembruggen, a 31-year-old mother found dead on a Queensland beach, has vehemently denied any involvement in her death and revealed she had previously been the alleged victim of a kidnapping and assault. Leembruggen was discovered in the sand dunes near North Wall beach in Mackay on Tuesday morning by a dog walker.

Police are treating Leembruggen's death as suspicious and have sent her body to Townsville for an autopsy. She was last seen on September 11, when her grandfather dropped her off for a hair salon appointment in Mackay.

Cris Wilesmith, Leembruggen's ex-partner and the father of their autistic son, told the Daily Mail that he denies any involvement and has not seen Leembruggen for several years due to a restraining order. He acknowledged that people might link him to her death, stating, "It's pretty s***ty, but I guessed people might say that." He added that if police wished to speak with him, they could, but they had not yet contacted him. Wilesmith said he was in Mackay over the weekend but did not see Leembruggen and does not know how she died. "The only feeling I have is that she put herself in a situation she could not get out of," he said.

Wilesmith disclosed that Leembruggen was the alleged victim of a four-day kidnapping and serious assault in 2024, a case that is currently before the courts and did not involve him. He stated that his relationship with Leembruggen was not good, claiming she had refused to pass on Christmas and birthday gifts for their son, Nakoa. Despite their strained relationship, Wilesmith expressed devastation over her death, saying, "It's terrible, horrible - my son is now growing up without a mother."

Wilesmith's mother, Nita Harrison, also asserted her son's innocence, stating, "Payge and Cris absolutely hated each other, but we have nothing to hide. I know my son would've had nothing to do with it. He was not at all involved." She added that her son was upset by the news, primarily for their son Nakoa.

Leembruggen's grandfather stated that his granddaughter had used drugs since she was a teenager and had a tendency to find unsuitable friends and partners. Harrison mentioned that Wilesmith met Leembruggen in rehab six years ago, and they had Nakoa before separating several years ago. Nakoa, who has non-verbal autism, has not been informed of his mother's death and is reportedly in the care of his grandmother, great-grandfather, and his wife.

Mystery surrounds Leembruggen's movements between her hair appointment on September 11 and the discovery of her body on September 15. Her grandfather reported that she told him she would arrange her own transport home after the appointment, and he never heard from her again. The family did not report her missing, as it was not unusual for her to be out of contact for several days.

Mackay Whitsunday District Detective Inspector Emma Novosel appealed for public assistance to help fill the four-day gap in Leembruggen's known movements. She noted that the area where the body was found is dense and difficult to navigate. The autopsy results are expected to help determine the cause of death and whether she died at the beach or her body was moved there. Police have confirmed the beach is safe for public use and have no concerns for the general public's safety.