Crystal Beale's body was found in the Brisbane River by a rower in the early hours of February 22.
Seven months later, former partner Jesse Wahlen Beale, 49, has been charged with domestic-violence-related murder following a lengthy police probe.
Beale was remanded in custody following his matter's brief appearance in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.
Ms Beale, a 49-year-old mother of two, left a family dinner about 8.30pm on February 21 and travelled with her ex-partner in a car to the inner Brisbane suburb of West End, police said.
She was allegedly last seen by Beale when she left the car at 9.30pm on Ryan Street, West End.
Her death was initially deemed not suspicious after her body was discovered the next morning.
But a homicide investigation was launched following further investigation and a post-mortem.
"Detectives have conducted relentless investigations, combing through over 1000 hours of CCTV and conducting multiple appeals for information to find justice for Crystal," police said in a statement on Monday.
Officers later found one of Ms Beale's sandals in a West End shrubbery and several personal items at nearby Orleigh Park, close to the river.
Police will allege Ms Beale was murdered on February 21 at or around Ryan Street, West End, and her body was dumped in the river at Orleigh Park.
Ms Beale is believed to have been in the water for six hours before her body was discovered, police said.
Detectives searched a home in the Gold Coast hinterland on Monday, arresting Beale on the murder charge and misconduct with a corpse.
Detective Inspector Wayne Francis said police will allege there was a history of domestic violence, despite the absence of a domestic violence order in place at the time.
"Over the past seven months, detectives have been tirelessly investigating every avenue possible to find answers," he said.Â
"We were not going to give up until we could provide these answers and get justice for Crystal."
He said Ms Beale's family were "doing the best that they can in the circumstances".
"They've lost their mother through horrible circumstances," he said.
"No matter what police action or court action occurs subsequently, they can't get their mother back."
Beale was not required to appear in person in court on Monday.
His solicitor Lewis Hunter sought an adjournment during the matter's brief mention in court, when there was no application for bail.
Magistrate Judith Daley adjourned the case to return to court on October 20, remanding Beale in custody.
Mr Hunter did not comment as he left the court building.
Police are continuing to appeal to the public for further information.
"There may be someone who does have some CCTV footage (they) may not have shared with police so far," Det Insp Francis said.
Police were especially interested in any footage of Ms Beale on the night and of a white Ford Ranger vehicle.
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