Suspected serial killer believed to be living in Victoria’s Sunraysia region
A MAN living in Victoria is “well aware” he is a prime suspect in three interstate murders, police say, as the sister of one of the victims urges accomplices to help crack the case.
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A MAN believed to be living in Victoria is “well aware” he is a prime suspect in three interstate murders, police say, as the sister of one of the victims urges accomplices to help crack the case.
A man, who police say lives in the Sunraysia region, has been linked to the gruesome murders of three people — Stephen Newton, 55, Beverley Hanley, 64, and Phyllis Harrison, 71 — in South Australia.
The sister of slain invalid pensioner Mr Newton has urged accomplices of the prime suspect to help crack the case.
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Mt Gambier mother Linda Smith, 67, said her brother was somewhat “reclusive’’ and would not have let anyone he did not know into his house.
“He didn’t have a lot of friends, so this person would have to have known him very well,’’ Ms Smith said.
“He was a gentle soul who would rather do someone a favour than not. He did not deserve to be left like he was.’’
Ms Smith said she could not understand how anyone who may have been involved or knew something could not help police.
“Nobody could live with themselves over that, surely?’’ she said.
“Someone knows something.’’
Police have confirmed the same man was most likely responsible for two other murders in SA — both elderly grandmothers.
Major Crime detectives have obtained new forensic evidence linking the man to all three murders.
Major Crime Detective Superintendent Des Bray said the three investigations — that of grandmothers Phyllis Harrison at Elizabeth South in 1998, Beverley Hanley at Elizabeth North in 2010 and Mr Newton at Mt Gambier in 2011 — were now being investigated by the nine-strong Taskforce Resolute.
“We now have proof that the same offender is responsible for all three deaths,” Det-Supt Bray said.
News Corp has previously revealed the cases were strongly linked and that Major Crime detectives had just one suspect in their sights.
The suspect was known to Ms Hanley and her family. He is known to police for petty offending and domestic violence matters.
He has served time in custody for breaching such orders.
His DNA profile was found at the Hanley murder scene — on a phone plug pulled from the wall.
Advanced DNA testing techniques have been used on a sample found at the Harrison murder scene. At the time of Ms Harrison’s murder, the suspect was living nearby.
The suspect in the three murders was arrested, charged and convicted over the theft of some of Mr Newton’s property in 2012 during initial investigations into his death.
Det-Supt Bray said the man was “well aware’’ he was the prime suspect in the murders.
He said as part of the fresh investigations, police were now urging those who had previously withheld information to come forward.
“We know that there are people who have provided incorrect or incomplete statements and I would urge them to come forward and speak with us,” he said.
“We know that they may be feeling vulnerable and scared but we can help them.”
Phyllis Harrison’s daughter Julie Lane said she “was still hoping for a resolution’’ in her mother’s case.
“We are hopeful that this year might be the year it comes to fruition,’’ she said.
“This has lifted our spirits that there might be some light at the end of the tunnel.
“But it is not just us, the other families who have lost loved ones will also be relieved.
“We hope justice will finally prevail.’’