AFP drop investigation into murder of Anthea Bradshaw-Hall in Brunei in 1994
EXCLUSIVE: The Australian Federal Police has shelved an investigation into the 1994 murder of an Adelaide schoolteacher in Brunei, devastating her family.
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THE Australian Federal Police will not launch a full investigation into the 1994 murder of Adelaide schoolteacher Anthea Bradshaw-Hall in Brunei, devastating her family.
In a shock move, its evaluation of the case has concluded there is not enough evidence to charge anyone with Anthea’s murder and the file will now be shelved.
The federal police decision is in stark contrast to the views of senior SA police and former Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Pallaras, QC, who feel there is enough evidence for a full investigation to be conducted.
Anthea’s brother, Craig Bradshaw, said the family was “shattered’’ at the decision and questioned the thoroughness and findings of the evaluation.
“We know that nothing will bring Anthea back, but we are extremely disappointed and upset they have made this decision,’’ Mr Bradshaw said.
“We feel that the AFP has very little experience with homicide cases. A lack of evidence is cited as a major reason, but little or no effort has been shown to collect or incite new evidence becoming available, such as posting a reward, as is done in SAPOL cold cases.
“We hope that in future there will be some change in this attitude and that we can one day find justice for Anthea.’’
The evaluation was launched early last year following the handover of the case file from SAPOL’s Major Crime Investigation Branch to Fedpol’s Crime Operations Unit.
While SAPOL offered a senior homicide detective to assist in the evaluation, this was declined by Fedpol.
Commissioner For Victims’ Rights Michael O’Connell said Fedpol’s assertion that all leads in the case “appear to be exhausted is, to say the least, frustrating for South Australia Police investigators and me, and devastating for Anthea’s family’’.
“It is unfortunate that the Australian Federal Police, despite revisiting the homicide crime-scene, reviewing existing statements and forensic evidence, have concluded that a full and comprehensive investigation is not warranted,’’ he said.
“This is a case that should not be left gathering dust in a police store room. Modern policing techniques have been employed to investigate unsolved homicides.
“Interviewing suspects’ associates, preparing suspect profiles, interviewing co-victims (for example, the victim’s immediate family), coupled with running public awareness campaigns and taking advantage of the media, as well as offering rewards, can help jump-start fresh investigations.
“Success has come to police who think outside the box, as is happening in our state and others, and across the world. People should be encouraged to come forward.’’
Mr O’Connell said conducting the full investigation and following all leads could resolve the case and “in so doing help alleviate the unresolved grief of the bereaved family.’’
“Decades after Anthea was murdered, her mum, dad and brothers still live through the trauma of that horrible, brutal crime,’’ he said.
“They want to see the person responsible for Anthea’s death apprehended, prosecuted, found guilty and adequately punished.
“They fear they will never know why Anthea was murdered. They are deeply troubled by the possibility that Anthea will never receive justice.
“They want assurances that Anthea and they are not forgotten and that all police are committed to doing everything possible to solve this homicide.’’
Anthea Bradshaw-Hall, 26, was murdered while visiting Brunei on July 21, 1994.
The teacher at Fraser Park Primary School, Murray Bridge, was about to move to the state, on the island of Borneo, with husband Jeffrey Hall.
Ms Bradshaw-Hall was found dead on the floor of their apartment. She had been strangled and then stabbed.
In 2013, the Sunday Mail revealed SA Police had launched an inquiry in 2004 into her death. Former DPP Stephen Pallaras, QC, revealed he believed there was enough evidence to charge and prosecute a suspect in Australia, but this could be done only if the Criminal Code Act was made retrospective.
In 2015 in federal Parliament, the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Harming Australians) Bill was passed, providing this retrospectivity.
Jeffrey Hall, who now works for Toshiba in Tokyo, has been interviewed twice in connection with his wife’s murder. In December, 2015, Mr Hall was named in an Adelaide court as a suspect in her death by his lawyer.
The revelation was made in the District Court in SA as part of an application by Mr Hall to obtain access to the entire SA Police and Brunei police investigation files into her death.
Senator Nick Xenophon, who pushed for federal legislation to be amended to allow the investigation, said he was “surprised’’ at the Fedpol decision.
“Along with Anthea’s family, I disagree fundamentally with this decision,’’ he said.
“I have met with Fedpol on this and they did not close the door on reopening the inquiry if fresh evidence arises.
“This is not the end — until Anthea’s killer is brought to justice I will continue to explore avenues to have this matter fully investigated.’’
Mr Pallaras said he found the decision not to fully investigate the case “very difficult to understand”.
“It is odd the decision has taken so long, without the explanation they have used this time to make further investigations,’’ he said.
“It is most unusual, inexplicable. I do not resile from my position on this that I would prosecute.’’
In a statement, Fedpol said the matter has been the subject of “a thorough evaluation’’.
This had included reviewing all material and documentation provided from Royal Brunei Police and SAPOL, an in-country evaluation with the full co-operation of RBP and Brunei authorities and the re-examination of physical exhibits and forensic lines of inquiry, where possible.
“The AFP will not be undertaking further investigations into the murder of Anthea Lily Bradshaw-Hall. It is the view of the AFP that there is insufficient evidence to initiate criminal proceedings,’’ the statement said.
Mr Hall’s lawyer did not respond when approached for comment.