Daughter of prime suspect in Rachelle Childs cold case praised for speaking about her father by stepmum
The daughter of a prime suspect in an Australian cold case has been praised by her stepmum for coming forward with her belief that her dad killed a woman. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
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The daughter of a prime suspect in a cold case murder has been praised for her bravery in coming forward with her belief that her father killed Rachelle Childs.
In her first-ever interview, Jazz said that she believes her father, Kevin Steven Correll, killed his 23-year-old employee on the Queen’s birthday long-weekend in 2001 – exactly 24 years ago.
The murder is the subject of the Dear Rachelle multimedia cold case investigation.
On Friday, Jazz, 41, broke her silence about her belief in her father’s guilt.
“Deep down I knew, I’ve always known, not in any way that I have evidence,” she said.
“I just, I knew he did this. I knew that he’s done a lot of other things. But there was a hope as his daughter, as someone who experienced his love.”
She also said she thinks he is responsible for four separate sexual assaults, including rape, on women in Sydney, of which he was acquitted and all of which he strenuously denies, saying “it says a lot about our judicial system in the ’80s”.
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Mr Correll strenuously denies having any involvement in Rachelle’s death. Police have never charged him and he has participated in interviews with them and volunteered his DNA.
Rachelle’s family were among those to praise Jazz, as well as her former stepmother *Elise.
“Jazz is absolutely amazing to have spoken out the way she has,“ she said.
Elise wasn’t the only one who lauded Jazz for speaking out against her father.
Rachelle’s sister, Kristy Childs, who has searched for answers about her sister’s murder for more than two decades, paid tribute to her bravery.
“Wow. For her to come forward and speak about her father,” Ms Childs said.
“I imagine that would have been incredibly traumatic for her, and risky for her.
“I am so f----ing proud of her. That just shows how brave she is and how much grit she’s got – to do the right thing and to stand up, and stand with us, and stand up for Rachelle, and to do this for her. That’s, wow.”
Others on the podcast Facebook page told Jazz they were “heartbroken” by the interview.
“Jazz, if you are reading this, you are one incredible, intelligent human being. What a life you have had,” one listener wrote.
“It is an absolute miracle that you have the courage and the wonderful qualities that you possess.”
Rachelle’s burning body was uncovered near a road in Gerroa, on the NSW South Coast, in the early hours of June 8, 2001.
An inquest into Rachelle’s murder delivered an open finding and Mr Correll, as the prime person of interest, was never charged.
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 dearrachelle@news.com.au.
You can also join our Dear Rachelle podcast Facebook group.
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