Frederick Rosson and Iain Stewart Hogg: $1m reward for answers to 2002 murders

It’s been more than 20 years, but police are still hunting those responsible for the killing of two men in 2002, with investigators confident “the same men” were behind each murder.

Frederick Rosson and Iain Stewart Hogg.

It’s been more than 20 years, but police are still hunting those responsible for killing two men in 2002, with investigators urging those who know something to come forward as a $1 million reward has been announced.

The massive reward is a combined commitment from the NSW and Queensland governments as part of the investigation into the murder of Frederick Rosson, aka Charles Johnson, and the suspected murder of Iain Stewart Hogg in 2002.

On March 11, 2002, Iain Hogg’s distinctive red Toyota Celica was seen in a carpark on Coral Street, Tweed Heads, where witnesses say they saw a flash and a loud bang, which was believed to be gunfire.

Police believe Mr Hogg was killed before his body was placed into the Tweed River, but his body has never been found.

Three days later, on March 14, 2002, police say Frederick Rosson met with two men at his property in Mt Nathan, Queensland, who attended to view a firearm Mr Rosson had advertised for sale.

Mr Rosson was killed that day after suffering a gunshot wound. Witnesses reported two unknown men arriving at the property between 11am and 1pm; however, no one has ever been charged with his murder.

At the time, witnesses also saw a red Toyota Celica at the property, believed to have been stolen after Mr Hogg‘s murder. The vehicle was abandoned at Palm Beach, Queensland, the following week.

The vehicle was located abandoned at Palm Beach, Queensland in March 2002.

Detectives from the NSW Police Tweed/Byron Police District and the Queensland Police Homicide Investigation Unit commenced inquiries into the incidents under Strike Force Tornio and Operation Alpha Caviar.

Tweed/Byron Police District Crime Manager, Acting Inspector Chris Elliott, said while much remained unclear, investigators believe that the same people were responsible for each murder.

“We are confident that the car used to access Mr Rosson’s home was Mr Hogg’s Toyota Celica, and we believe the same men were involved in each incident,“ he said.

“The families of these men deserve closure, having dealt with the uncertainty of what happened over two decades ago.

Funeral of victim Charles Alexander 'Slim" Johnston also known as Frederick Rosson.

“To those in the community who know what happened to Mr Rosson and Mr Hogg, it’s time for you to come forward.”

Queensland Police Service Detective Acting Inspector Adam Bennett from Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch said police hoped the reward would be the catalyst for a breakthrough in the case.

“It is never too late to come forward. Relationships and loyalties change; people who were once scared may no longer be, and we would encourage these persons to come forward,” Det A/Insp Bennett said.

“Police would like to directly appeal to the LGBTIQ+ community or anyone who knew Mr Hogg leading up to his death in March 2002 as he was a very private person, and any personal information may assist with this matter.

“All appropriate combined resources from Queensland Police and the New South Wales Police Force will continue to be used by investigators in an attempt to solve these murders and bring the offenders responsible to justice.”

Anyone with information that might assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.