Man arrested over 1998 cold case murder of Phyllis Harrison
A man has been arrested over the 1998 murder of Elizabeth South woman Phyllis Harrison in a major cold case breakthrough.
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A man has been arrested over the 1998 cold case murder of Phyllis Harrison.
Detectives arrested the man, 45, on Thursday and charged him with murder over the killing of Mrs Harrison, 71, in her Elizabeth South home in March, 1998.
The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is expected to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Friday.
The arrest follows a DNA breakthrough in the case by Forensic Science SA, although police will only reveal the evidence to the court later this week.
Assistant Commissioner Peter Harvey said police were specifically looking for help from any member of the public who had knowledge of property that may have been stolen during the murder.
Assistant Commissioner Harvey said police were confident in the case to be put to the courts, but said now was the time to come forward if people had any information, which could attract a reward of $200,000.
“In terms of fresh evidence, the case is built on the incredible amount of work done by detectives over 22 years, so every bit of evidence is added on like a jigsaw puzzle,’’ he said.
“The case is sound ... we are confident with the case we are making, but anything can be built on and hence the call for anyone who knows anything else.
“Even though it is 22 years later if you did see something or you had this knowledge that you are holding onto for some reason now is the time to come forward.
“There is nothing else I will say about the scientific side of it until court.”
The murder of Mrs Harrison has been among one of the highest profile cold cases in the state.
Her case has been a major focus of SA Police’s Operation Persist, which launched in 2015 with a dedicated goal of solving some of the state’s most enduring and mysterious cold cases.
Mrs Harrison was living alone in her home of 40 years following the death of her husband when she was stabbed numerous times. She was found dead in the kitchen.
Mrs Harrison’s family paid tribute to a “caring, loving and lovely person”.
“She loved her family and the community loved her. She was always busy either being involved in church and bowls, or having friends around her. She was a human dynamo with so much energy,” the family said in a joint statement.
“It was a family joke that she was always so busy you had to make an appointment to see her.
“She circumnavigated the world. We’d drop her off at the airport with her suitcase and she would get around the world on her own, nobody else.
“And what a cook. She was the most special mum to us and grandmother.”
The family thanked the dedication of police officers, and stated they hoped the court system would not treat the alleged killer with any leniency.
“We hope justice is done and hope there is no fancy lawyer or a system that can divert the truth,” the family said.
Mrs Harrison was prominent in the local community, where she was regularly seen walking her dog, was a foundation member of the Elizabeth Grove Uniting Church, and a member of the Elizabeth Bowling Club.
Police said Mrs Harrison was very security conscious but there were no signs of forced entry, which led them to suspect she let her killer inside.
The arrest of the man on Thursday in relation to Mrs Harrison’s murder is the 20th arrest Operation Persist has now yielded.
Since Operation Persist – which involves a partnership with the Sunday Mail and Channel 9 – was launched in 2015, detectives have closely scrutinised 25 unsolved cases.
A major component of Operation Persist has involved engaging with the state’s 3000 or so prisoners.
Last year, Major Crime Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Des Bray said the task force would continue its relentless approach to solving cold cases.
“Those who have committed a homicide may think they have gotten away with it initially but that does not mean they will getaway with it forever,’’ he said at the time.
“We will do everything humanly possible and do the best we can to solve every homicide.’’