Fugitive Rodney Clavell fatally shot himself during 13-hour Adelaide CBD siege to end 17-day manhunt
HE led hundreds of police on a 17-day manhunt and vowed to go down shooting — but only one bullet was fired by Rodney Clavell on Thursday.
HE led hundreds of police on a 17-day manhunt and vowed to go down shooting — but only one bullet was fired by Rodney Clavell on Thursday.
The state’s most wanted man shot himself inside a King William St massage parlour, ending a manhunt that has kept Adelaide on a knife-edge.
The fugitive’s suicide concluded a dramatic 13 hours in which the southern part of the CBD was locked down as dozens of police surrounded Marilyn’s Studio massage parlour.
Clavell, 46, was holed up inside with four female hostages, sparking fears of a bloodbath.
Those fears were inflamed earlier in the day, when a close female friend of Clavell told The Advertiser the fugitive was preparing for death.
The woman, who had helped Clavell evade police, said she had dropped him at Marilyn’s early on Monday after he had spent the night at her home. She said Clavell had discussed how he would try to kill police if cornered.
“He thinks they have it in for him, he will take police out ... he knows he won’t survive this alive today,” she said.
The woman said Clavell appeared worn out from his time on the run but was not under the influence of drugs.
She also claimed he told her he was not the man who was seen near Pulteney Grammar School on South Tce on May 22, when the southern part of the city was locked down during a search by police.
Assistant Commissioner Paul Dickson said Clavell’s body was found by a robot on the first floor of the massage parlour just before 1pm.
“At about 12.55pm, we deployed a robot into the premises. That robot took some time to search the premises but was able to locate Mr Clavell in a position in which he was believed deceased,” he said.
“A short time later we entered the premises and our STAR Group officers located Mr Clavell deceased.”
Mr Dickson said Clavell’s death would be treated as a death in custody and a report prepared for the coroner.
Clavell refused to directly communicate with police negotiators, but police believe he was still alive when the four women hostages began to emerge from the back of the premises about 11.30am.
As the final hostage, a blonde woman, emerged she took several steps before collapsing and screaming. “He’s dead, he just shot himself,” the woman cried.
When police asked if she had seen Clavell fire the gun, the woman replied: “I just heard it ... get me out of here, please get me out.”
Police were still uncertain if Clavell was dead or alive and took no chances, deploying a remote-controlled robot equipped with a video camera into the parlour.
“After that release we continued those negotiations and we were unable to receive any conversations or response from Mr Clavell,” Mr Dickson said.
“I believe he had some belief that he was fairly safe at the premises, but as to whether he was controlling (the women) or whether it was free will, there is no doubt they had a harrowing experience.”
As the drama unfolded, a female police negotiator used a megaphone in an attempt to coax Clavell to surrender.
“It’s been a long day, a long night. You may feel a bit down, but don’t forget, there are people to help you,” the negotiator said.
“Rodney I’m still here ... just walk outside, we are worried about you.”
The negotiator also thanked Clavell for releasing the hostages, but it is now believed he was already dead.
Mr Dickson said police had become increasingly concerned about Clavell since a warrant was issued for his arrest on May 20. “We have other information also that over the past 14 days Mr Clavell has been involved in other offending,” he said.
Police yesterday revealed Clavell was wanted over an incident at Elizabeth Park on May 25. He was suspected of assaulting a woman while armed with a shotgun.
As police began to wind down their operations, rumours that Clavell was dead began to circulate on the street and social media.
Soon after, Police Minister Tony Piccolo announced in State Parliament that Clavell’s body had been found.
Mr Dickson said Mr Piccolo’s decision to reveal the death during Question Time was “something for the Police Minister”.
Morning peak-hour traffic and public transport was thrown into chaos as King William St was cordoned off between Gilles St and Victoria Square.
Hundreds of people were unable to get to their workplaces and some were told to go home for the day.
Clavell, a former devout Christian and prison officer, came to prominence in 2004 when he was shot twice by police in a chase in the Adelaide Hills.
He stole a 12-tonne grader and fired a shotgun before STAR Group officers shot him twice, then used a Taser to subdue and arrest him.
Clavell was also a ringleader in a riot at Port Augusta prison in October 2008, over alleged overcrowding issues.
That standoff lasted for three days, sparking police fears that yesterday’s siege could have lasted much longer than its eventual 13 hours.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14. Help with depression is available by contacting beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.