New leads into Shirley Finn murder
A new inquiry has been launched into the four-decade-old murder of Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn in a last-ditch attempt to solve the mystery while key suspects are still alive.
A full "cold case" review was conducted earlier this year and detectives from the special crime squad have confirmed they were now actively investigating several lines of inquiry identified during in the process.
Investigators are also interviewing again key witnesses in the case, including Shirley Finn's lesbian lover Rosie Black, who still lives in WA.
Ms Black has never spoken publicly about the crime.
Mrs Finn was shot four times in the head at close range while sitting in the front seat of her car, which was found parked near the freeway in South Perth on June 23, 1975.
Detectives arrived at Shirley Finn's home home in River View Street, South Perth
The murder had all the hallmarks of a gangland-style hit.
Rumours have persisted for decades about the possible involvement of corrupt police officers, politicians and even rival brothel madams.
Former WA premier Ray O'Connor was among those forced to publicly deny any links to the crime and went to his grave last year protesting his innocence.
Others who fell under suspicion are either dead or aged in their late 80s and at least one is understood to have early dementia.
Police said the new inquiry was launched at the request of Mrs Finn's youngest daughter Bridget Shewring, but they would not comment yesterday on specifics of the investigation.
Police scour the area near where Shirley Finn's body was found.
"The review and investigation of historic unsolved homicides is the day-to-day business of this squad and every effort is made to bring these matters to resolution," special crime squad Det. Insp Casey Prins said.
Ms Shewring was just 13 when her mother was killed.
She told The West Australian last night that the impact on her family had been devastating.
She believed a breakthrough was still possible but wanted a coronial inquiry held if the new inquiry failed to identify the person or persons responsible.
"They have got no conscience whatsoever with what they did, leaving three little kids without their mum," Ms Shewring said. "It (solving the crime) is the most important thing in my life . . . It is all I think about 24 hours a day."
Shirley Finn's car, a Dodge sedan.
Just 34 when she died, Mrs Finn had risen rapidly to the top of Perth's vice scene, reportedly with the help of corrupt police whom she paid to protect her interests. She was also known to throw extravagant parties.
There are several theories as to why she was killed, with most centring on a $100,000 tax bill she was hit with and was unable to pay.
One theory is she tried to blackmail some of her more high-profile clients to help raise the funds needed to pay the debt.
Another is that she had threatened to name names to the tax commissioner of prominent people also involved in her murky business.
On the night she died, she told Ms Black she had an important business meeting and had asked her lover to go out for the night to give her privacy.
It is believed that about 10pm, Mrs Finn left her home dressed in a $3000 ball gown, but where she was going and who she was to meet remains a mystery.
Anyone with information was asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
The entrance to Shirley Finn's brothel.
