15 Aug 2014

Murder charge laid after 14-storey fall

10:03 pm on 15 August 2014

A man who was with a New Zealand woman in Australia before she fell 14 storeys to her death has been charged with her murder.

Warriena Wright, known as Rrie (right) with sister Reza.

Warriena Wright, known as Rrie (right) with sister Reza. Photo: Queensland Police

Gable Tostee was arrested this afternoon and later charged over the death of Rrie Wright, who fell from the Avalon apartment complex in Queensland's Surfers Paradise on 8 August.

Ms Wright, 26, had been alone in the apartment with him.

ABC Gold Coast journalist Charmaine Kane says Mr Tostee's lawyer Michael Purcell told media his client is exercising his right to silence and maintains his innocence. He intends to defend the charge.

She says Mr Tostee will appear in the Southport Magistrates Court tomorrow, but Mr Purcell won't apply for bail then.

"He says that Tostee can't apply for bail in a magistrates court tomorrow, but he does expect him to see Supreme Court bail in coming weeks."

Ms Wright, who worked at Kiwibank, was in Australia for a friend's wedding and reportedly met him through online dating.