Man in court over Qld cold case murder

A man has faced court over the alleged murder of a woman whose body was found under a tree in southwest Queensland six years ago.

Police have questioned the assumption that Lainie Coldwell, 36, died while taking down Christmas lights from a tree at her home in Charleville in August 2009 following a forensic review of the case.

Her body had signs of a severe head injury.

Louis James Mahony, 42, has been charged with her murder and briefly appeared in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Friday.

Mahony is also facing fraud-related offences.

His case was transferred to Charleville Magistrates Court, where he is expected to appear via video link on January 18.