Man Accused of Killing U.S. Beauty Queen Appears in Court 7 Years After Her Disappearance
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An accused murderer, who is alleged to have killed an American beauty queen, faced court in Australia more than seven years after she vanished. Mark Sheridan Waden, 50, is facing charges of murder and interfering with a corpse in connection to the disappearance of Priscilla Brooten, 46. Brooten was last seen in July 2018 at the Brisbane home she shared with Waden in Australia.
Priscilla Brooten, originally from the suburb of Bracken Ridge in Brisbane, has not been seen or heard from since her disappearance over seven years ago. Despite disappearing in July 2018, she was only reported missing in December of the same year. Tragically, her body has never been located, leaving her fate shrouded in mystery.
In June 2019, the Queensland Police Service confirmed that a man, later identified as Mark Sheridan Waden, had been arrested and charged with murder and misconduct involving a corpse in relation to Brooten’s case. Investigations revealed that Brooten was in a relationship with Waden at the time of her disappearance, last seen at their residence in Bracken Ridge.
The police conducted an excavation of the former couple’s home in June 2019, with cadaver dogs narrowing down a search area within the front yard. Despite these efforts, the investigation did not uncover any significant leads or evidence regarding Brooten’s whereabouts. This led to mounting speculation and concern surrounding the missing woman’s fate.
Described as a friendly and outgoing individual, Brooten was known to have family members residing in California, including a daughter and mother. She led an active lifestyle, enjoying activities such as yoga, Zumba, and online gaming. Her abandoned vehicle, a blue Volkswagen Golf hatchback, was discovered in Scarborough, Australia, on July 6, 2018 – adding another puzzling layer to the case.
Although Brooten’s body remains undiscovered, a ruling was made by a magistrate allowing Waden to proceed to trial based on circumstantial evidence. Currently out on bail, Waden is yet to enter a plea and the case is set for a review on February 5, 2026. The Queensland Supreme Court has refrained from providing further details while the legal proceedings are ongoing.
The disappearance and suspected murder of Priscilla Brooten continue to grip the attention of the public, sparking debates and discussions about justice and closure for the victim and her loved ones. With the case unfolding in court after years of uncertainty, the quest for truth and accountability in this tragic story remains paramount.