HUBBY IS SUSPECT
Gardai waiting to quiz injured man over body in wardrobe
THE man found near the building where Joanne Lee’s body was discovered in a wardrobe is her estranged husband.
Keith Lee is surrounded by armed guards in St James’s Hospital where he had surgery on two broken legs and a broken hand.
Supt Gerry Delmar said yesterday: “When he is released we will be speaking to him.”
Gardai in Dublin last night launched a murder probe after a postmortem revealed 38-year-old Joanne was strangled.
THE suspect found at the back of the building where Joanne Lee’s body was discovered is her estranged husband.
Keith Lee, who reported his wife missing on February 13, suffered “serious injuries” consistent with a fall or jump from a high building.
The Dubliner, who is in his early 40s, is is recovering in St James’s Hospital in the West of the city, where he had surgery after breaking both his legs and a hand.
It is understood he being guarded by three members of the Garda Emergency Response Unit and will be interviewed when released from hospital.
Officers revealed yesterday they searched the South Dublin apartment after Joanne’s car was found outside the building.
The 38-year-old had not “positively seen” since February 5.
Speaking outside the building where her body was found, Supt Gerry Delmar said: “On the 13th of February, Ms Joanne Boyle, also known as Joanne Lee, was reported missing to gardai. An immediate investigation was set up in an incident been room at Mountjoy Garda station. As a result of that, gardai called to this premises, 92 Ranelagh Road, yesterday afternoon.
“Inside, gardai found a female who was unresponsive. Medical assistance was given to the female, however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
“We believe the female is
Joanne, however she cannot yet be positively identified. Also at the rear of this premises, gardai found a male with injuries.
“These injuries were consistent with having a fall from a height.
“That male is currently in hospital receiving treatment.
“The man, we believe, is her estranged husband.
“We are obviously aware that they were estranged.”
It is understood a postmortem carried out by State
Pathologist Marie Cassidy revealed
Joanne was strangled.
Supt Delmar added: “I would like to appeal to anybody that last saw Joanne, from the 5th of February, possibly around Garristown, Co Meath, to contact us. Joanne also had access to a car, a silver Nissan Micra, licence plate 08-MH-16073.
“An incident room has been set up at Donnybrook Garda station, with the service of the State Pathologist, the Garda Technical Bureau and a liaison officer to deal with the family.”
Questioned on what led officers to the property where Joanne’s body was found, he added: “We found the car at this address. A number of inquiries were carried out by gardai and led them to this address.” Joanne was reported missing on Tuesday and her body was discovered wrapped in a sleeping bag and stuffed in a wardrobe two days later.
When officers arrived at the South Dublin property they found the door to the bedsit barricaded.
Joanne’s family had called on officers to search the apartment and gardai went to the address as part of inquiries into the disappearance. As investigators entered the flat it is believed the occupant, understood to be her estranged husband, leapt from a rear window.
Anyone with information about Joanne’s death is asked to contact Donnybrook Garda station on 016669200, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any garda station.