Calls for gay hate death of American Scott Johnson to re-examined by an independent body

ALONG with at least 30 other unsolved anti-gay murders and disappearances, the AIDS Council of NSW has recommended the death of American man Scott Johnson at North Head should be investigated by an independent body.

There are calls for Scott Johnson’s death to be investigated independently.

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THE death of Scott Johnson at North Head in 1988 should be investigated by an independent body, a landmark report into historic gay hate crimes has recommended.

In its report released on Monday, the AIDS Council of NSW (ACON) called for Mr Johnson’s killing to be re-examined along with at least 30 other unsolved anti-gay murders and disappearances.

A shot of North Head with Manly in the background. Picture: AAP IMAGE / Troy Snook

ACON also urged authorities to allow an independent inquiry into the actions of police and the courts in relation to attacks on the LGBTI community

Mr Johnson, a 27-year-old American mathematician, was among dozens of gay men who were killed or disappeared around Sydney during the 1980s and 1990s.

NSW Police and two coronial inquiries were adamant that he committed suicide by jumping off the cliff near Blue Fish Point. But a third coronial inquest last year ruled it a gay hate attack.

A photo of Scott Johnson (left) taken with brother Steve Johnson in 1982. Picture: Darren McCollester/Getty Images

Last week the Manly Daily reported that Mr Johnson’s death would be revisited by police as part of a shake-up of cold case homicides.

ACON’s report suggested looking into the past actions of “various arms of the criminal justice system” as it could identify opportunities to finalise unsolved cases.

Steve Johnson leaves the Glebe Coroners Court after the inquest into the death of his brother Scott Johnson in 2017. Picture: AAP Image/Jeremy Piper

In 2016 the police set up a taskforce to review 88 deaths dating back to the 1970s to decide whether gay hatred was involved.

ACON chief executive Nicolas Parkhill said the report brought a “cultural and community lens to a tragic and dark period in Sydney’s LGBT history”.

ACON chief executive Nicolas Parkhill.

“We know that a wave of violence swept through Sydney between the late 1970s and early 1990s, which claimed the lives of some gay men,” Mr Parkhill said.

“It is important to note these events occurred in a time when homophobic and transphobic prejudice and hate permeated our society, thriving in many environments including government agencies, public institutions, courthouses, workplaces, communities, schools and homes.

“The relationship between LGBT communities and NSW Police has moved forward in the last 40 years.”