She was murdered and sexually assaulted 50 years ago – now detectives are renewing bid to solve Patricia Schmidt case

Patricia “Suzie” Schmidt was only 16 when she was violently murdered in 1971. Just on 50 years later, detectives are releasing a list of clues in a bid to solve the case.

On the eve of the 50th anniversary of Patrica “Suzie” Schmidt’s murder, South Australian Police believe there are still possessions out there that could solve this case.

On Friday, Detective Superintendent Desmond Bray reminded the public of eight significant clues, in a bid to encourage anyone with information on the brutal murder to come forward.

“This is the first time in 50 years we have made all of these clues available,” Det Supt Bray said.

“Sometimes we have to hold information back for operational reasons but now by releasing those it may help people to identify who may be involved.

“These people have killed a young girl, they are dangerous.”

The complete list of clues includes a necklet with the victim’s name engraved on it.

“We think one of the men involved may have taken the necklet and gifted to a girlfriend or partner,” Det Supt Bray said.

“The people who are responsible are still out there among us today.”

Patricia ‘Susi’ Schmidt’s body was found at Hallett Cove on December 16, 1971.

As reported by Nigel Hunt in the Sunday Mail on December 4, Suzie’s unsolved murder has haunted her younger brother, Frank, who was 10 at the time.

On December 18, 1971, Patricia finished her shift at Burger King Darlington in the early hours of Sunday morning, but never got home.

She was reported missing at 9.30am the following day, after she failed to return home.

An off-duty police officer was travelling down Adams Rd at 6:30pm, when he noticed Patrica’s naked body off a dirt track at Hallett Cove.

Evidence at the scene indicated she was sexually assaulted and murdered before her body was dumped.

Only nights before, a stranger offered to drive her home after her first-ever night shift. On Tuesday of the same week, she told a friend a man she didn’t know had given her a lift home

It is unclear whether police believe the man who picked her up on Tuesday was her murderer.

Police renewed calls for information about Patricia’s murder in 2016, and said DNA evidence from the case would be sent across the Tasman Sea to be analysed in New Zealand.

SA Police said the clues are: gold, brass, nickel and other metal filings from key cutting;

microscopic particles from shoe repair business; welding slag (by-product of welding process, particles of electrical waste from Phillips Industries, Hendon; iridescent blue paint identified to be from a 1971 blue Holden Monaro; small paint flakes – pink on one side and white on the other; DNA from an unknown man and the necklet.

A reward of $1m is offered to anyone with information that could solve the case.

Patricia “Suzie” Schmidt, whose body found at Hallett Cove on December 16, 1971.

Frank Schmidt with his big sister Suzie, who took care of him after their mother died. Picture: Keryn Stevens