Man wanted over 1997 cold case killing urged to hand himself in by own child

The child of the man who is wanted over the 1997 cold case killing of Queensland woman Meaghan Louise Rose has pleaded for their father to hand himself in to police.

A warrant is out for the arrest of Keith Lees, but the 70-year-old hasn't been seen since the day after he gave Victorian Police a fake name when officers were trying to speak to him about Rose's death.

Lees' child, Wren Dawnsong, has today appealed for their father to hand himself in.

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"It's been more than 20 years. Megan's family deserve justice," they said.

"He's not doing himself any favours by running and hiding, so it's time, he's got to man up and turn himself in."

Dawnsong, who held up a sketch of what Lees would look like with around eight weeks of beard growth, said Lees could be in South Australia, New South Wales or the ACT by now, likely somewhere remote.

"He probably will have gone bush somewhere, he knows how to survive out there," they said.

Rose's older sister, Christine Richards, also urged the public across the country to be on the lookout for Lees.

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"I'm asking the public of Australia, every state and territory, to please keep their eye open and try to find this man," she said.

"If there is anyone out there that is helping or harbouring Keith Lees, please think about who you are dealing with.

"Help us to bring justice for Meaghan after all this time, please help us let her rest in peace."

Rose's body was found at the base of Point Cartwright Cliffs at Mooloolaba, Queensland, in July 1997. She was 25.

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Her death was originally considered suicide, but has since been deemed a murder by police.

A $500,000 reward is on offer for information that leads to her killer's arrest and conviction.

An appeal for information in July was largely focused on Rose's relationship with her then-partner Lees, who was the last person to see the 25-year-old alive and had taken out a life insurance policy in her name.

Queensland detectives had travelled to Victoria to speak to Lees in late June but were unable to locate him.

His car was found abandoned the following day, and on June 27 he was seen at a Waurn Ponds shopping centre and then leaving a Shepparton train station. He hasn't been seen since.

Police believe Lees may be seeking casual farming or fruit-picking work.

They have urged the public not to approach him but to instead call triple zero if he is sighted.