Robert and Anne Geeves Acquitted in Amber Haigh Murder Case, NSW 2023
- Amber Haigh, a 19-year-old with an intellectual disability, disappeared in June 2002, leaving behind her five-month-old son.
- Robert and Anne Geeves were charged with her murder in 2022, with allegations that they sought custody of her child.
- After a nine-week trial, the couple was found not guilty, maintaining their innocence throughout the proceedings.
Robert and Anne Geeves were acquitted of the murder of Amber Haigh, who went missing in June 2002 from New South Wales Riverina. At the time of her disappearance, Haigh was just 19 years old and had an intellectual disability, leaving behind her five-month-old son, whom she was very attached to. The couple, both aged 64, were charged in 2022, with police alleging that they killed Haigh to gain custody of her child. They maintained their innocence throughout the legal proceedings. The trial lasted for nine weeks in the NSW supreme court, during which the prosecution presented their case against the Geeveses. Despite the serious allegations, the couple consistently denied any involvement in Haigh's disappearance or harm towards her. They spent over two years in prison while awaiting trial, which added to the emotional strain of the situation. On the day of the verdict, Justice Lonergan ruled in favor of the Geeveses, finding them not guilty of murder. This decision marked a significant moment in a case that had lingered for over two decades, raising questions about the investigation and the evidence presented against the couple. The ruling also highlighted the complexities surrounding cases of missing persons and the legal challenges faced by those accused. The acquittal has left many unanswered questions regarding Amber Haigh's fate, as her disappearance remains a mystery. The couple's release from prison signifies a turning point, but the impact of the case on their lives and the unresolved nature of Haigh's case continues to resonate within the community.