Thomas Keir was investigated for the deaths of his two wives, Jean and Roselina, who were cousins. Jean disappeared around 1988-1989 and was presumed murdered after her remains were found buried under the house. Roselina died in a house fire in Sydney, with Thomas as the main suspect. He was acquitted of Roselina's murder but later convicted of Jean's murder after three trials. The case involved controlling behavior, jealousy, and a complex investigation including witness statements, forensic evidence, and prison informant testimony.
Country: Australia
State/Province: New South Wales, Australia
City/Region: Sydney
Incident Type: Family Homicide
Relationship Status: Married
Relationship Duration: Approximately 4 years (second marriage)
Incident Date: Jan. 1, 1988
Relationship Origins:
Relationship Stages:
Contributing Factors:
Red Flags:
Motives:
Relationship Outcomes:
How the relationship or connection began.
Approximately 4 years (second marriage)
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
1988-01-01
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
English labels are shown first. Original-language titles are preserved for source verification.
LiSTNR Crime · Original language: English
Investigation of Thomas Keir and deaths of two wives
Domestic Violence
The case involves controlling and jealous behavior by Thomas Keir towards both wives, leading to disappearance and death. The first wife disappeared under suspicious circumstances with evidence of burial and exhumation, while the second wife died in a fire with Thomas as the main suspect. The pattern shows escalation from control and jealousy to fatal violence within marital relationships.
Investigation included missing person report, forensic searches under the house, DNA testing with international assistance, prison informant testimony, and multiple trials. Thomas Keir was acquitted of Roselina's murder but convicted of Jean's murder after three trials. The case was complex with initial lack of evidence and long delays.
Initial confusion over Jean's disappearance and whether she was alive; conflicting accounts from Thomas Keir; acquittal and retrials due to jury bias and DNA evidence interpretation; uncertainty about Roselina's death cause initially.
Jean disappeared in 1988-1989; Thomas claimed she left voluntarily. He later married Roselina, Jean's cousin. Neighbors reported Thomas burying items; a foul smell led to suspicion. Prison informant revealed Thomas admitted killing Jean and burying her under the house. Bones were found and DNA matched Jean. Roselina died in a house fire with Thomas last seen there. Thomas was arrested, acquitted for Roselina, but convicted for Jean after multiple trials.
High risk due to controlling behavior, jealousy, prior disappearance, and suspicious deaths. The presence of custody disputes and domestic conflict further elevated risk.
Controlling and jealous behavior can escalate to fatal violence. Missing person cases with suspicious circumstances warrant thorough forensic investigation. Prison informants can provide critical evidence. DNA evidence requires careful presentation to juries. Multiple trials may be necessary in complex cases.
Controlling behavior, jealousy, disappearance of first wife, foul smell and burial activity at the house.
Neighbor reports of burying items, prison informant testimony, DNA evidence from bones under the house.
Forensic bone recovery and DNA testing, witness statements, prison informant disclosures.
Neighbors reported burying activities; tenant complained of foul smell; prison informant revealed confession; family and friends described controlling behavior.
Initial acquittal of Roselina's murder followed by conviction for Jean's murder after retrials; discovery of bones and DNA evidence developed over years.
Exact circumstances of Roselina's death remain less clear; full timeline of events between disappearances and deaths.