Michelle Bright death: Craig Rumsby found guilty of historic murder, rape at Gulgong

After two decades, a man will face justice for the murder of a teenage girl in the state’s central west – a crime which shocked the close knit community of Gulgong.

Craig Rumsby (pictured) has been found guilty of the murder of Michelle Bright in 1999. Picture: Nine News Sydney

After 24 years, four months and three days the mother of a teen girl murdered in the state’s central west has said her daughter “can rest in peace”.

It comes after the jury in the Michelle Bright Murder trial in Dubbo found 56-year-old Craig Rumsby guilty of her murder.

Ms Bright’s family fronted cameras in front of Dubbo Courthouse with “ecstatic” reactions, saying the trial has been a rollercoaster for the family.

Her mother, Lorraine Bright described the scene in the courtroom of people both breaking down and crying.

Michelle Bright. Picture: NSW Police Media.

Michelle Bright was last seen alive on Saturday 27 February 1999. Picture: NSW Police Media

“It’s something not just us but all her friends – and all our friends - they’ve waited for this,” Lorraine said. “The support has been amazing from Gulgong and people all over.”

She said she would like her daughter to be remembered as the “beautiful” girl she was. Michelle’s brother Les also thanked the police for their work throughout the operation.

After two decades, a man will face justice for the murder of a teenage girl in the state’s central west – a crime which shocked the close knit community of Gulgong.

Michelle's mother Loraine at a NSW Police appeal for information. Picture: Flavio Brancaleone

Craig Rumsby, 56, was found guilty by a jury of the murder of 17-year-old Michelle Bright in 1999 following a nine-week Supreme Court trial. The jury also found him guilty of the rape of a second teenage girl in 1998.

The jury announced the guilty verdicts after two weeks of deliberation with audible gasps heard across the courtroom.

Ms Bright was murdered in the early hours of February 27, 1999, when walking home to her Barneys Reef Rd residence after a birthday party.

The 17-year-old schoolgirl was reported missing the next day before her body was discovered three days later - on March 2 - in long grass on the side of the road.

Police found her pants and underwear ripped down with her shirt over her bra, which crown prosecutor Lee Carr told the jury was an indication of sexual assualt.

Craig Henry Rumsby has been convicted of the Ms Bright’s murder, as well as the rape of a second teenage victim. Picture: Nine News Sydney

The crown was Rumsby had murdered Ms Bright with “his bare hands”.

The 56-year-old was charged with the teenager’s murder on August 11, 2020 after confessing to undercover cops.

He described the details of how he killed her, including covering her mouth to stop her breathing and described himself being on top of her.

He also confessed to the rape of a second girl, aged 18, saying he “threw her to the ground” before saying he would “kill” her if she did not comply.

Throughout the trial Ms Bright’s mother Lorraine, brothers Greg and Less, father Phil and her friends gave evidence of what occurred the night she went missing.

Lorraine said her daughter “never walked home” alone before the incident as it was a long and dark walk outside the township.