Qld body in barrel accused awaits autopsy 20180703 p5whcu.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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'Larissa Beilby killer' awaits autopsy before next move

AAP

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Larissa Beilby's body was found in a barrel in the back of a ute last week. Picture: Facebook

Larissa Beilby's body was found in a barrel in the back of a ute last week. Picture: Facebook Instagram

The lawyer for a man accused of murdering a 16-year-old Brisbane schoolgirl is awaiting an autopsy report as he considers arguing her death was due to misadventure.

Zlatko Sikorsky has been charged with murder, torture, deprivation of liberty and interfering with a corpse over the death of Larissa Beilby, whose body was found in a barrel in the back of a ute near Logan.

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The 34-year-old is also accused of detaining Larissa in a vehicle against her will and is facing drug, weapons and driving charges.

He did not appear in Maroochydore Magistrates Court yesterday after being arrested following a 28-hour siege on the Sunshine Coast on the weekend.

The matter has been adjourned for committal in Beenleigh Magistrates Court on September 3.

Sikorsky's lawyer Brendan Ryan said his client intended to fight the murder charge, suggesting Larissa may have died by accident.

"We're going to wait until the autopsy report is provided to police and to my office, Mr Ryan said outside court.

"No doubt, hopefully misadventure will be open on the basis of that autopsy report."

Police allege Sikorsky killed Ms Beilby some time between June 22 and 27 after she was last seen alive by loved ones on June 15.

Her body was found inside a barrel on the back of a black ute that was abandoned on Wednesday at a residential complex at Stapylton on the northern Gold Coast.

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Mr Ryan also said he didn't yet know if he'd lodge a Supreme Court application seeking bail for his client.

It is understood police are investigating the possibility a wider criminal network helped sheltered Sikorsky from authorities while he was on the run.

A 40-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man have already been charged with being accessories after the fact to murder and will also face Maroochydore Magistrates Court today.

As police continue their investigations they're urging anyone with details to come forward.

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"Information is still vital to the investigation," Inspector Damien Hansen said.

"His movements. His connection to Larissa. We're interested in hearing from any person."

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