Qld: Police seek to unravel Natasha puzzle

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Qld: Police seek to unravel Natasha puzzle

By Ainsley Pavey and Steve Connolly

ROCKHAMPTON, Qld, April 11 AAP - Back from the dead teenager Natasha Ryan faced lengthyinterviews by detectives today as police sought answers and considered charges over herfour-year disappearance.

The 18-year-old, who vanished aged 14 in September 1998, was found in the house ofboyfriend Scott Black only a short distance from her mother's home in the central Queenslandcity of Rockhampton.

Ms Ryan, who family and police believed had been murdered, held an emotional reunionlast night with mother Jenny and stayed at her home before being questioned today by detectivesfrom Brisbane.

Family lawyer Ross Lo Monaco revealed Mrs Ryan thought police were referring to herdaughter's body when they called to say they had found Natasha.

"When the police phoned Mrs Ryan ... it took a little bit of time before ... she wasable to fully appreciate that they had found her daughter alive and well," he said.

"Mrs Ryan was in shock, she didn't know if she could believe it and she was concernedit may have been a false alarm.

"It was something that was very distressing for her."

Media outlets staked out Mrs Ryan's house today amid speculation of a six-figure offerfor the family's story.

Police found Ms Ryan yesterday, hiding in a cupboard at Mr Black's house.

They were acting on a tip-off during the trial of convicted child killer Leonard JohnFraser, who was accused of murdering Ms Ryan along with three other women.

Fraser's trial was adjourned yesterday following the revelation and his lawyers areexpected to argue on Monday for it to be abandoned.

Detective Sergeant Ian Tuffield, who led last year's investigation into the attemptedkidnapping for ransom of an Asian businessman in Brisbane, arrived in Rockhampton withtwo other detectives to question Ms Ryan.

Mr Black was fined $1,000 for obstructing a police investigation in 1995 when Ms Ryanran away from home for the first time and stayed in a hotel.

Mr Black, 26, who until recently lived in nearby Yeppoon, was questioned last nightby police before being released, but is expected to be reinterviewed.

His neighbours in the Rockhampton suburb of Berserker (Berserker) Heights had no ideaMs Ryan lived next door, never heard a woman's voice, a television or a stereo.

Meanwhile, Queensland Premier Peter Beattie today defended the role of police in the case.

Mr Beattie said the community should be careful not to "play the blame game".

"Here is an extraordinary case and I really don't want to make too much judgment untilI've seen the facts," he said.

Mr Beattie said he understood police were investigating, but was unsure what othersteps would be taken.

"Obviously (Police Minister) Tony McGrady and I will talk about it," Mr Beattie said.

He said he would be surprised if the Crime and Misconduct Commission did not discussthe case with Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson.

Mr Beattie said he was pleased for Ms Ryan and her family but was curious why she hadnot come forward earlier.

"As a parent ... this would be incredibly distressing - the fact that I didn't knowfor almost five years I would be distraught and I feel for the parents today," he said.

AAP ap/sc/pw/sp

KEYWORD: RYAN NIGHTLEAD (PIX AVAILABLE)