Grim details revealed as serial killer linked to three unsolved murders
Police have revealed new grim details about three unsolved murders in South Australia, which they believe are linked.
Police had previously considered the murders could be at the hands of the same suspect, but now they say they have proof to suggest they are.
Phyllis Harrison, Beverley Hanley and Stephen Newton were killed between 1998 and 2011, and police now believe theft was the motive behind their deaths.
Ms Harrison, a 71-year-old grandmother, was killed at Elizabeth South in March 1998, and found by her daughter and grandson.
She was last seen walking her dog.
Ms Harrison suffered multiple stab wounds and her house had been ransacked.
Police could not determine exactly what was stolen.
They believe she likely knew her attacker and she was killed to stop her identifying him.
About 10 years after her death, a knife was found in a hedge of a neighbouring house and police believe it was the possible murder weapon.
There is a $200,000 reward for any information that helps lead to a conviction.
Ms Hanley, 64, died in her home in Elizabeth North in October 2010.
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She suffered severe head injuries and her house had also been ransacked. Police discovered her handbag had been stolen.
She had been attacked with a cricket bat in her laundry and stabbed multiple times.
Police said she attempted to fight her attacker and had multiple defensive wounds to her body.
It is believed on the morning of the day she was attacked, Ms Hanley got out of bed to make herself a coffee and toast, which was left on the dining room table, and was in the process of doing washing.
Police said the washing machine had been switched off, giving the impression she was interrupted.
A witness also heard her talking to a man she apparently knew near the back door of her house.
During the course of the conversation, the pair began to argue. What followed was a scream and loud thuds of somebody being struck.
Police are also offering a $200,000 reward for any information that leads to a conviction.
Body found badly decomposed
Mr Newton, a 55-year-old invalid pensioner, was found badly decomposed in his unit in Mt Gambier in November 2011. He died as a result of an assault.
He was reported missing by the Salvation Army and Housing Trust.
Police believe he was killed between September 23 and 29, but not found until months later.
A TV, DVDs, a computer game console and games were taken from his home.
Most stolen items were later recovered from a pawnbrokers in Mount Gambier.
Mr Newton was found in a room of his home, covered in rubbish.
A 92-year-old neighbour told 7 News Mr Newton had been a great friend.
“It’s just so hard,” he said through tears.
“I just can’t get over it, I don’t know what I’m going to do.”
Police said in this case it was possible more than one offender was present during his death.
“We now have proof that the same offender is responsible for all three deaths,” SA Detective Superintendent Des Bray said in a statement.
“There has been speculation in the past that the same offender was involved, but now I can say we have proof and we believe theft was the motive in all three matters.”
‘Consider your conscience’
Police believe the suspect is a 39-year-old man from the Riverland region in Victoria.
He was known to all three victims at the time of the deaths and lived within about 10 minutes of of his victims.
Police are trying to gather as much evidence as possible to put before the court to ensure a conviction.
They are urging people with information to come forward.
“Each attack was extremely brutal and the type of people who commit these offences are not worthy of people defending,” Superintendent Bray told media.
“I would encourage anybody with information to think about it, consider their conscience, consider the families of each of the victims and do the right thing now and come forward, whether it be fresh information of whether it be adding to information they have provided in the past.
“It is clear that some people have withheld information and some people have told lies, and some of those people may be scared of this offender.
“I would encourage them to contact us either directly or through a solicitor and we would help them in relation to their safety and to work through the issues. The important thing is for all these cases to be solved.”
Anybody with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au
