'We'll find Gerard's killer': Police vow to solve 20-year cold case
WA Police have launched a fresh appeal to solve the 1997 abduction and murder of schoolboy Gerard Ross.
Gerard had been staying in Rockingham with his family in October 1997 when he disappeared, his body was found dumped in a nearby pine plantation two weeks later.
On Tuesday Acting Detective Inspector Jon Munday ruled out Daniel Morcombe’s killer Brett Cowan as a suspect in Gerard’s murder.
“Brett Cowan was in custody at the time, so not a person of interest in the matter,” Insp Munday said.
“WA Police remain committed to bringing the killer or killers to justice.”
Gerard and his brother had left the holiday home in Perth’s south to head to the shops, with Gerard’s brother Malcolm going ahead on rollerblades.
Malcolm arrived at the shops that morning but 11-year-old Gerard, who had been on foot, never did.
According to police, “several” new persons of interest have been identified through a review in 2014, and detectives are following up two specific lines of inquiry.
The first is Gerard’s missing Yankees baseball cap that has never been recovered.
Police are also trying to identify the driver of a beige or cream-coloured sedan that just weeks prior to Gerard’s disappearance, approached an 11-year-old and offered him a lift.
That boy reported the incident to police in 1998.
“This is a crime that shocked all West Australians,” Insp Munday said.
“We believe there are still people in the community who know what happened to Gerard.
“We are confident there are still people out there in the community who haven’t come forward.
As WA Police pleaded for information, the Ross family released their own statement, appealing for the public’s help.
“Gerard would have turned 31 last November, and has sadly missed out on so much of life,” Gerard’s mother Cyrese said on behalf of the Ross family.
“(Gerard) will never experience the joy in sharing his love, creative talent and sense of humour with his niece or when starting his own family.
“His promising life, hopes and dreams have tragically been taken from him.
“We make this appeal on behalf of Gerard, and ask you to provide any information, no matter how small or insignificant.”
A $100,000 reward for information remains in place from the State Government.
Anyone with information on Gerard’s abduction and murder should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
