Shandee Blackburn murder investigation to re-open

Nine years after her savage murder walking home from work, Shandee Blackburn’s family is hopeful a re-opened investigation into her death will bring them justice.

Shandee Blackburn’s family is hopeful the re-opened murder investigation into the young Mackay woman’s death nine years ago will bring them justice.

The Queensland Coroner has formally reopened the investigation, a decision sparked by findings in the powerful podcast series, Shandee’s Story, last year.

Shandee’s mum Vicki Blackburn, who will today visit her daughter’s grave on the anniversary of her brutal murder, said she hoped the investigation would lead to justice.

“We’re still trying to analyse that; obviously it is a really difficult day especially after nine years, and justice is still a long way off,” she said.

Forensic scientist Kristy Wright with Shannah and Vicki Blackburn – mother and sister of murder victim Shandee Blackburn. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/The Australian

“This latest development has given us hope that at some point, we will get there.

“We understand there is a long process to go through if we are going to get justice, but a lot of people are committed to that.”

A political push to reopen the coronial inquest came in December when Health Minister Yvette D’Ath indicated she would write to Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman asking for the case to be reopened after pathology lab failures came to light.

A Coroners Court of Queensland spokesman said Central Coroner David O’Connell decided on February 3 he would re-open his coronial investigation into Shandee’s death on February 9, 2013.

He confirmed the coroner received a letter from Ms Fentiman requesting he “consider the re-opening of the inquest to further investigate and inquire into the recent issues raised regarding the forensic evidence and testing of evidence in this case”.

“The Central Coroner has re-opened his investigation pursuant to s50A of the Coroners Act to make any necessary further investigations,” the spokesman said.

“He is yet to make any determination as to whether he will re-open the inquest.

“No further comment will be made at this time. The Coroner will update the family and interested parties when any further decision has been made.”

Coroner David O’Connell wrote to Ms Blackburn last week with his decision to re-open the coronial investigation, but was awaiting further information before making a determination on the inquest, The Australian reported.

Ms Blackburn said while she was hesitant to say yes, but was hopeful the investigation would lead to answers and fix serious errors and problems in the government-run forensics laboratory that handled and tested evidence gathered during Shandee’s murder investigation.

Vicki Blackburn, mother of Mackay murder victim Shandee Blackburn. Picture: Daryl Wright.

Shandee suffered more than 20 stab and slash wounds as she walked home from her shift at Harrup Park on February 9, 2013.

Her former boyfriend, John Peros, was charged with her murder but was acquitted at trial in 2017.

He has denied any involvement in Shandee’s death.

Ms Blackburn said she was grateful to the people committed to investigating Shandee’s death and the impact the Shandee’s Story podcast had in shedding new light.

“We’ve always felt it was important,” she said.

Shandee Blackburn inquest findings handed down. Vicki and Shannah Blackburn after the inquest result. Picture: Daryl Wright

She said she hoped changes would be implemented to safeguard future investigations and ensure the integrity of forensic testing at the lab, not only for Shandee’s sake but every case.

The inquest opening comes a week after Ms Blackburn began pushing to have the $250,000 reward for information about her daughter’s murder increased in a bid to finally have her killer brought to justice.

In a letter, Ms Blackburn urged Police Minister Mark Ryan to boost the amount, saying she did not think $1 million was “out of the realm of possibility”.

The anniversary of her daughter’s death, she said, was “a rollercoaster”.

“Nine years, we think about Shandee, we think about where she would be today and I was saying earlier, I’m pretty sure I would have at least one grand baby by now – the fact that I don’t have that,” she said.

“Not only does (Shandee’s sister) Shannah not have a sister, she’s not an aunt either.

“We do think about these things, but we try to pay it forward, to help.

“We can see some light, just a glimmer. Let’s hope that grows brighter.”

Ms Blackburn thanked the team at The Australian including investigative journalist Hedley Thomas and forensic biologist Kirsty Wright.