Wieambilla massacre site sold privately despite memorial promises
Consensus Summary
The Wieambilla massacre site, where Queensland Police Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold, along with neighbour Alan Dare, were killed in December 2022, was sold privately for $190,000 in April 2026. The Queensland Police Union (QPU) had previously negotiated to purchase the property for a memorial but failed to secure it before the sale. The families of the officers expressed deep disappointment, calling the sale an 'absolute insult' to the victims' memories. Aiden Train, the son of the perpetrators, listed the property for sale earlier this year, stating he preferred to sell to the QPU but could not delay further. The new owners, two residents of Agnes Waters, have not disclosed their plans for the property. Both sources agree the sale undermines the promise to transform the site into a memorial, leaving the families feeling let down by institutions that failed to protect and honour the officers.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Queensland Police Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold were murdered at the Wieambilla property on December 2022 while responding to a missing persons report for Nathaniel Train.
- Neighbour Alan Dare was also killed at the Wieambilla property during the same incident in December 2022.
- The Wieambilla property was sold privately for $190,000 on April 14, 2026, to two buyers residing in Agnes Waters, near Gladstone, Queensland.
- The Queensland Police Union (QPU) had negotiated in good faith to purchase the property for a memorial but negotiations stalled in 2025.
- Aiden Train, son of Stacey and Gareth Train, listed the property for sale in early 2026, stating he was open to selling to the QPU but could not delay further.
- The McCrow and Arnold families described the sale as an 'absolute insult' to the memory of the officers and Alan Dare, expressing disappointment in the institutions that failed to secure the property.
- Stacey and Gareth Train first purchased the Wieambilla property in 2015 for $95,000.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Aiden Train and his sister publicly condemned their parents' actions and distanced themselves from their parents' religious beliefs.
- QPU president Shane Prior described the listing as a 'surprise' as the union was working to keep the property out of public hands.
- The McCrow and Arnold families specifically mentioned the risk of the site becoming a destination for those drawn to extremist violence.
- The ABC included a statement from Police Minister Dan Purdie, who called the Wieambilla shootings 'one of the darkest days in Queensland’s history'.
- The ABC noted that the QPU led discussions regarding the property, and the government was not involved in the sale.
- QPU president Shane Prior expressed hope that the new owners would 'continue to honour the sacrifice' of the officers.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The ABC states the government was not involved in the sale, while NEWSCOMAU implies the state government was previously involved in negotiations to purchase the property.
Source Articles
Wieambilla massacre home sold
The house of horrors where two Queensland constables were ruthlessly slain has been sold to unknown buyers, despite their family’s wishes.
Families of police officers killed at Wieambilla feel 'let down' as property sold
The families of two Queensland police officers shot dead by extremists in 2022 say they feel "deeply let down" after learning through a public real estate listing the property had been sold to a private buyer.