Five years since Beverley Hanley was murdered in Elizabeth North home family still hope for arrest
EVERY morning for the past 1826 days, the family of Adelaide murder victim Beverley Hanley have woken up thinking, ‘today will be the day police have some news’. But their phones are yet to ring.
EVERY morning for the past 1826 days, the family of Adelaide murder victim Beverley Hanley have woken up thinking, ‘today will be the day police have some news’.
But their phones are yet to ring.
The devastated family of the much-loved great grandmother are still holding out hope the phone will ring with news of an arrest.
Today marks five years since Mrs Hanley, 64, was found murdered in her Elizabeth North home.
Her daughter Robyn Scafer, son Rob Hainsworth, granddaughter Tasha Hanley and long-time friend Gloria West spoke to The Advertiser ahead of the five-year anniversary of Mrs Hanley’s tragic death.
They gathered in Carisbrooke Park, in Salisbury Heights, where the extended family would meet for special occasions before the matriarch was killed.
She has been described as a loveable larrikin who enjoyed shopping, spending time with family and made the best egg and lettuce sandwiches going ‘round.
“You couldn’t find anyone better, she was the sandwich maker for any party,” Mrs Scafer said.
“Life has changed so much — five years is coming up but I remember everything like it was yesterday.
“Our family has been shattered.
“She was our link to everybody but now the link is broken.”
Ms Hanley, a mother-of-three, said her grandmother was popular in the local community and the family would still get stopped in the street by people wanting to know if her killer had been arrested.
“It’s frustrating just to know that every day, nothing changes and that person is still free and we continue to wait,” she said.
“We wake up thinking, ‘today will be the day’ and then we go to sleep thinking, ‘tomorrow will be the day’.
“I will never lose hope. Never.
“Someone knows something so it’s just a matter of time. (Beverley) never would have given up so we’re not going to.”
Mrs Scafer said every time she has received a call from a private number, the same thought runs through her mind — this is it.
“It hurts the most to know it was someone she knew. It was targeted,” she said.
She said police have a key suspect, who is known to the family and cannot be named, but the case against him was circumstantial.
There was no sign of forced entry to her Homington St house.
Gloria West, who had been a good friend of Mrs Hanley for 33 years, said life had lost its spark since the death of her “funny” friend.
She said one of her favourite memories of her friend was when they were at the British Working Mans Club and Mrs Hanley got drunk off soft drink.
“We were giving her coke after coke after coke and she got drunk because she thought she was drinking (alcohol). She was a funny lady.”
In March, a reward of $200,000 was offered for information that could help solve Mrs Hanley’s murder.
The family also hope the release of playing cards detailing unsolved SA murders, including Mrs Hanley’s, to prisoners will prompt someone to come forward with information.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.