Police appeal for information about ‘triple killer’ Richard Edward Dorrough

A FORMER navy mechanic, who confessed to being a triple killer in a suicide note, lived in Victoria for two years during a life travelling around the nation and abroad.

Prostitute Rachel Campbell, in undated photo, was found murdered and wrapped in blankets in a church carpark in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney in 1998.

A FORMER navy mechanic, who confessed to being a triple killer in a suicide note, lived in Victoria for two years during a life travelling around the nation and abroad.

Richard Edward Dorrough, who shot himself on August 9, 2014 at a firing range in Western Australia, slipped through Western Australian police fingers on a murder he was suspected of years before his death.

But the 37-year-old’s final note, in which it has been reported his victims were not named, has led to a nationwide search for information on a potential serial killer.

Dorrough resided in Victoria between from January 1995 to May 1996 while a crew member of the HMAS Geelong.

In an extraordinary press release by WA Police, a national appeal has been launched for information about his activities over a 20-year period before his death.

WA Police have revealed Dorrough was a suspect in the killing of Kimberley woman Sara-Lee Davey in Broome in 1997 while he was onshore, but released him after being unable to find enough evidence to lay a charge.

It took weeks for police to catch up with Dorrough, who had sailed to Darwin by then.

It has been reported that he met Ms Davey at a nightspot and a taxi driver told police Dorrough escorted her back to the port where other witnesses heard screams.

The following morning crew members recalled Dorrough has turned up to work with scratches on his face.

Prostitute Rachel Campbell, in undated photo, was found murdered and wrapped in blankets in a church carpark in the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney in 1998.

WA Police have launched an appeal for information regarding serious offences believed to have been committed by former Australian Navy sailor, Richard Edward Dorrough. Picture: WA Police

More than a decade later Dorrough was later extradited from WA to NSW in 2009 over the murder of Sydney sex worker Rachel Campbell, who was killed on November 7, 1998.

Police, however, did not reinvestigate him over the unsolved murder of Ms Davey and he was acquitted of murdering Ms Campbell.

In that case he admitted he had engaged her for sex and bitten her but was found not guilty after his defence blamed Ms Campbell’s then ex partner for the murder.

Investigators, however, believe Dorrough was responsible for killing both women.

But they are also interested in any other unsolved crimes he may have committed, including a third unidentified female he confessed to killing.

A map has been released of his whereabouts in Australia and New Zealand stating when he arrived and left cities across the nation and New Zealand.

``We are seeking public assistance regarding Dorrough’s movements across Australia and even in New Zealand over the past 20 years,’’ WA state crime assistant commissioner Michelle Fyfe said.

``The special crime squad has been in close contact with cold case teams in other police jurisdictions where Dorrough lived or visited during that period, but so far have been unable to establish a link with any unsolved serious offences.

``It may well be that members of the public who associated with Dorrough have the information we seek, and we urge them to come forward now.’’

Victoria Police dismantled its cold case unit several months ago after reuniting cold cases with the homicide squad.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Police appeal for information about ‘triple killer’ Richard Edward Dorrough