Photo evidence sheds light on Rachelle Childs’ murder investigation

Images have shed new light on Rachelle Childs’ murder investigation, showing key clues the killer may have left.

Photos shed new light on the Rachelle Childs’ murder investigation, showing key clues the killer may have left.

The images, which form part of the police brief of evidence into her 2001 murder, show the jerry can and spare tyres in her car boot, the car stereo system which was removed from its console, and the inside of her home in Bargo, NSW.

RACHELLE’S HOUSE

Rachelle’s home was fingerprinted by police, but only once the property was cleared of furniture. Former detectives assisting the podcast investigation have now raised questions as to whether it was properly declared a crime scene at the time.

This image of Rachelle Childs’ home in Bargo was part of the brief of evidence in her murder case.

Brief of evidence images: Inside of Rachelle Childs’ home in Bargo.

Her colleague, Fiona, also recognised her work clothes on the laundry floor. The inside lights and TV were still on when Fiona went to the property the day after she disappeared.

Brief of evidence images: Inside of Rachelle Childs’ home in Bargo.

Brief of evidence images: Inside of Rachelle Childs’ home in Bargo.

Brief of evidence images: Inside of the garage of Rachelle Childs’ home in Bargo.

RACHELLE’S 1978 HOLDEN COMMODORE

The killer may have left clues in Rachelle’s car when it is believed he parked it in the Bargo Hotel carpark after her murder in June.

One of the more puzzling aspects of the case is whether Rachelle went to the hotel at all – where it was suggested she may have been meeting someone the night she died.

The JVC car stereo was also missing, but the instruction manual was in the glove box.

Her sister Kristy Childs had gifted the stereo to Rachelle for her 23rd birthday, just weeks earlier.

Brief of evidence: This image shows the interior of Rachelle Childs’ Holden Commodore and the radio console.

Rachelle Childs’ JVC car stereo was missing from her car but the instruction manual was in the glove box. This is an image from the brief of evidence in her murder case.

THE BOOT

In the boot of her car, Rachelle kept a jerry can because she prone to running low on fuel, a spare tyre and a bedsheet to stop the tyre from rattling around as she drove.

Police photos taken after the vehicle was seized from the Bargo Hotel carpark show the empty jerry can in the boot, and the spare tyre. The bedsheet was missing.

Police photos taken after the vehicle was seized from the Bargo Hotel carpark show the empty jerry can in the boot, and the spare tyre.

Brief of evidence: The interior of the boot of Rachelle Childs’ Holden Commodore showing spare tyres and jerry can.

MAPS

Police mapped key areas in the regions of interest, including Picton, Camden where she worked, and Bargo where she lived.

LISTEN TO EPISODES 1 AND 2 OF THE PODCAST BELOW:

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].

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Originally published as Photo evidence sheds light on Rachelle Childs’ murder investigation