South Australia government offers million dollar rewards to help catch brutal child killers
REWARDS of up to $1 million have been offered in a bid to prompt breakthroughs in three of SA’s most baffling baby deaths, while rewards of $200,000 have been posted in six other cold-case murders.
REWARDS of $1 million each have been posted in three of South Australia’s most horrific and baffling child murders.
Huge rewards are also on offer in a further six unsolved cases ranging from an organised crime hit to a mystery fatal poisoning.
And, in a bid to resolve the murder of Coober Pedy schoolgirl Karen Williams and find her remains, the reward for information in that case has been raised from $200,000 to $1 million.
Police Minister Peter Malinauskas told the Sunday Mail the new rewards — coupled with improvements in forensic technologies — offered hope that the crimes one day could be solved.
“Often the renewed public interest connected to rewards prompts people to share information they may have previously withheld or thought not to be relevant,’’ he said.
“With more advanced technology and improved resources within our police force, it’s a real possibility that these rewards could trigger crimes being solved that date back to the early 1970s.
“Solving these cases mean families of the victims make take some comfort in knowing those responsible can finally be brought to justice.’’
The new $1 million rewards are for information about the murders of 18-month-old Lily Schettini in 2010 and 12-month-old Dylan Lindsay in 2004, and the disappearance of 11-month-old Darren Shannon in 1973.
Rewards of $200,000 also have been posted in the unsolved murders of Michael Modesti in 2016, Annabel Strzelecki in 1998, Brian Underwood in 1991, Laula York in 1974, Colleen Adams in 1973 and Antonio Giorgi in 1970.
Major Crime officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Des Bray said the rewards gave police further opportunities to re-examine cold cases.
“It is also significant because some of these cases are almost five decades old,’’ he said.
“The relatives of the victims want to know what happened before they pass on and some of them involve our children.
“It is unacceptable they have not been solved and this gives us another avenue.’’
Det-Supt Bray said even though the prime suspect in the murder of Karen Williams, 16, was acquitted of her murder last August, the case remained open.
He said if new evidence was obtained, former Coober Pedy man Nikola Novakovich could be retried under the state’s double jeopardy laws.
Mr Novakovich was found not guilty by Supreme Court Justice Tim Stanley, despite being satisfied he “had some involvement in the death of Karen Williams and the disposal of her body”.
“The fact there is now $1 million reward for a conviction or recovering Karen’s remains is very important for us and her family,’’ Det-Supt Bray said.
“If we were to recover her body, that would create further opportunities for us.’’
The most current case for which a $200,000 reward has been posted is that of Beverley man Michael Modesti.
He vanished on May 9 last year, just days after returning from a trip to Thailand. Police believe his death is organised crime related and have a suspect.
“A number of people who were involved or have knowledge of what happened to Michael Modesti are involved in the drug trade and are obviously motivated by money,’’ he said.
“Those people may be motivated by $200,000 to come forward and assist us.’’
Det-Supt Bray said although the possibility was remote, someone may have knowledge of infant Darren Shannon’s whereabouts. He was taken by his father on June 9, 1973.
Darren died in a car crash at Roseworthy but his body was not was found in the wreckage.
“For all of these cases in which bodies are missing it would bring tremendous relief for the families to recover the remains of their loved ones,’’ Det-Supt Bray said.
“Over and above losing their loved one, not recovering their remains adds another burden to them over the decades.
“All of them are equally important in that regard. If this creates a possibility that can happen because people are motivated by money then that’s a good thing.’’
COLD CASES, NEW REWARDS
LILY SCHETTINI — $1 MILLION
On May 2, 2010, 18-month-old Lilly was found dead in the bedroom she shared with her three-year-old sister at Smithfield Plains. Lily died as a result of acute blunt head trauma.
DYLAN LINDSAY — $1 MILLION
On March 28, 2004, the 12-month-old boy was found dead at a Port Lincoln house. He had visible abdominal injuries and had been the victim of a serious assault. An unknown person had attempted to disguise Dylan’s injuries by using Texta to cover the bruising and marks. Murder charges were laid against two people but later withdrawn.
DARREN SHANNON — $1 MILLION
On June 9, 1973, Darren, 11 months, was taken by his father, John Shannon, from the home of his estranged wife’s parent at Davoren Park. He put the child into his car before driving off. Shannon later drove into oncoming traffic and was killed. Darren was not at the crash site and his remains have never been found.
ANNABEL STRZELECKI — $200,000
On June 5, 1998, the 28-year-old met with friends at her home in Clare. She has not been seen by them since. Police suspect she has been murdered, possibly by her husband, Jim, who died in 2000.
KAREN WILLIAMS — $1 MILLION
On August 4, 1991, Karen, 16, left Sergio’s Restaurant in Coober Pedy with three other people. They were picked up by Nikola Novakovich and driven to near Medway Rd. The other three left the vehicle leaving Ms Williams with Mr Novakovich. He was last year found not guilty of her murder.
BRIAN UNDERWOOD — $200,000
On July 25, 1991, Brian, 46, collapsed at his workplace on Carrington St, city. He was treated at the scene and taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital, where he died that evening. Toxicology results showed he had been poisoned.
LAULA YORK — $200,000
On November 13, 1974, 32-year-old Laula left Port Augusta to travel to Ooldea to meet with her defacto husband, Maxwell White. She was accompanied by her two children, aged 13 and 11. The two children subsequently arrived at Yalata — although it is not known how — but Ms York was not with them and she has not been seen since.
COLLEEN ADAMS — $200,000
On December 19, 1973, Colleen, 24, was reported missing by her parents after they were told by her husband, Geoffrey Adams, that she had left the family home in Maitland five weeks earlier. Mrs Adams was last seen by her husband on the morning of November 22, when she left in a vehicle being driven by an unidentified middle-aged female. She has not been seen or heard from since.
ANTONIO GIORGI — $200,000
On May 2, 1970, Antonio, 44, was found murdered in the rear yard of his Essex St home at Woodville Gardens. He had been shot several times with what police believe was a large calibre handgun. His neighbours heard shots about 2.30am but did not investigate.
MICHAEL MODESTI — $200,000
On May 9, 2016, the 33-year-old went missing from his Beverley home. His vehicle was later found parked on Chenoweth Ave, West Croydon. His disappearance is suspected to be drug-related and may have links to a visit to Thailand that he made between April 26 and May 6 that year.