Police have taken a man into custody and are seeking a woman in connection with the murder investigation into schoolgirl Tiahleigh Palmer’s death.
The man’s arrest comes shortly after police confirmed Tiahleigh’s foster father was the former owner of a car seized by police last week.
The 12-year-old’s body was found on the banks of the Pimpama River last November, almost a week after she vanished.
A week ago, detectives seized a 2009 blue-coloured Ford XR6 sedan they believed was linked to Tiahleigh’s murder.
Police said last week the car’s current owner was not considered a suspect.
Today, Detective Inspector Damien Hansen confirmed Tiahleigh’s foster father was the car’s former owner.
His link to the investigation had been revealed in the media, which Inspector Hansen said could have hindered the progress of detectives.
“It didn’t help us,” he said.
“There is an aspect of this crucial to our investigation that we would ask you don’t report any further,” he said.
“We’ll be making further releases throughout the day.”
Car still under forensic examination
He said police had received no further information in relation to the car since it was seized.
“We’ve looked at every person who had involvement with Tiah in this investigation,” Inspector Hansen said.
He declined to say what police had found in the car.
“It’s still being examined,” he said.
He said detectives had also updated Tiahleigh’s biological mother on the investigation.
“She’s comfortable with our response at this stage,” Inspector Hansen said.
“But I will take the opportunity to say that also with the family that there are certain times we can’t pass on information, when the information is at a critical stage.
“It’s possibly been one of the most difficult investigations I’ve been involved in.”
This story originally appeared on ABC News.
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