Damian Loone’s four reasons why he believes Rachelle Childs’ murder is ‘solvable’

Former Detective Sergeant Damian Loone, who was critical in helping convict Lynnette Dawson’s killer, reveals the reasons why he believes Rachelle Childs’ murderer can also be found.

Opinion: The most important part about what happened to Rachelle is that this matter is solvable. I can’t promise it’ll get that far, but I’ll have a bloody good go.

I firmly believe that without the efforts of an investigative journalist during the Teacher’s Pet podcast about Lynnette Simms (Dawson), her matter would have never been brought to trial. The podcast created public pressure on the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney-General to bring it to trial, and I think that’s what swayed them in the end.

When I tried to get them to go to trial, they wouldn’t listen to me. I knew, at the end of the day, someone was responsible. It was just persuading the prosecutors to believe me. Eventually, we got there.

Watch the video of the Dear Rachelle investigation above.

Former Detective Sergeant Damian Loone at the site of Rachelle Childs’ murder. He says the matter is “solvable”.

If we put up enough of a reward and someone’s got information could result in a person being convicted, then let’s increase that reward. Why not? Money can be life changing for somebody who has information and has withheld it for many years of fear of being ostracised or vengeance. What if someone’s life is worth $1m? Let’s put it up from $200,000 because money talks.

LISTEN TO EPISODES 1 AND 2 OF THE PODCAST BELOW:

This case is solvable for four reasons:

Number one: The podcast. After the Teacher’s Pet podcast, the former NSW Commissioner of Police Mick Fuller said that was the best crime fighting tool he’d ever witnessed.

Number two: People talk. Things that have been said over the years may not be lost and some people may now feel as though they can come forward and tell their side of the story.

Number three: Money talks. You offer someone half a million or a million bucks and you can have crucial evidence for the arrest and conviction of the offender. It’s life-changing money.

Number four: Relationships and loyalties change over time. You may have been in a dominating relationship back in the day when Rachelle was murdered, and you knew something, but you weren’t allowed to say anything about it. But now you may not be with that person anymore. You’re free. And maybe now is the time now to come forward.

For more information about our investigation, visit dearachelle.com.au

If you have any tips or confidential information, please contact investigative journalist Ashlea Hansen at [e-mail].

You can also join our Dear Rachelle Facebook group.

Originally published as Damian Loone’s four reasons why he believes Rachelle Childs’ murder is ‘solvable’