Detectives closer to charging man over alleged murder of Geelong woman Annette Steward
Detectives are closer to charging a man over the cold-case alleged murder of Geelong West woman Annette Steward.
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Detectives are closer to charging a man over the cold-case alleged murder of Geelong West woman Annette Steward.
Victoria Police revealed in January detectives had arrested a 52-year-old Medina man under a joint operation by Victoria Police and Western Australia Police linked to two murder investigations.
Darren John Chalmers was charged the 2019 murder of West Australian woman Dianne Barrett.
He is currently in custody.
Victoria Police homicide squad detectives also interviewed the man in connection to the 1992 alleged murder of Annette Steward.
Police spokeswoman Natalie Webster said police last week obtained a charge and issued a warrant to arrest the man in connection to Ms Steward’s death.
“Detectives from the Victoria Police Homicide Squad have now obtained a charge and warrant to arrest a 53-year-old Medina man in relation to the 1992 murder of Annette Steward in Geelong,” Ms Webster said.
“The man was arrested by West Australian police in January as part of a separate investigation.
“His transfer to Victoria will be sought at an appropriate time.”
It is understood once the man has been sentenced in Western Australia, Victorian police can apply to extradite him and lay charges.
Ms Steward, 29, was found strangled and bashed in her Hope St home on March 18, 1992 just 12 days before her 30th birthday.
The Point Henry worker was last seen at the Winchester Factory on March 17.
In 2015 Victoria Police said Ms Steward left work at 4.30pm before doing some shopping on her way home.
Ms Steward, who had a young daughter, was visited by four male friends and had a cup of tea with them before they left, police said.
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Police said a friend dropped by the next day, on March 18, and found Ms Steward naked body in a bedroom.
A post-mortem revealed she died as a result of strangulation.
Following a 2007 inquest in Ms Steward’s death sister Gillian Steward said the family was hopeful the case would one day be solved.
“We do remain hopeful, we do hope that someone will come forward with more evidence that the police can use and one day resolve the case,’’ she said at the time.
Originally published as Detectives closer to charging man over alleged murder of Geelong woman Annette Steward