$750,000 cash reward offered for new information in Roslyn Reay murder investigation
It has been 18 years since Mandii Deer discovered her mum brutally murdered. Now, as a $750,000 reward is posted for information into Roslyn Reay’s homicide, Ms Deer has a message for the killer.
Newcastle
Don't miss out on the headlines from Newcastle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Detectives investigating the unsolved murder of Cooks Hill identity Roslyn Reay believe her killer remains in the Hunter – nearly two decades after the kind and caring woman was found brutally sliced open and strangled on the floor of her own bedroom.
And as a $750,000 reward was announced for information which could lead to the conviction of the 52-year-old’s callous killer, her surviving daughter made a brave and emotional plea to her mum’s killer.
“I don‘t know for what reason you did this to my mum.” Mandii Deer told reporters at a press conference on Monday announcing the reward.
“There is no reason, there is no valid excuse. Please, if you‘ve got any conscience at all, come forward.
“You‘ve had another 18 years of life – my mum didn’t get that.
“She died young – you took her young – come forward and do the right thing. If you‘ve got any conscience, turn yourself in.”
The reward announcement – the 18th anniversary of Mandii’s discovery of her mum inside her Cooks Hill townhouse – comes two years after a fresh investigation was launched into the brutal death.
As revealed by The Newcastle News, Strike Force Oro 2 detectives are still searching for a match with a male DNA profile found on a shoelace wrapped about Ms Reay’s throat.
She had also suffered more than 30 knife wounds to her body and was left on the floor of her bedroom for several weeks before being discovered by her daughter.
The state’s homicide squad commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said it was still unclear whether the male DNA profile was relevant to the investigation.
But he confirmed that there had never been a match from the national DNA database in the nearly two decades since Ms Reay was murdered.
“I know there‘s been reports in relation to one [piece of evidence ] – an unknown male profile found at the crime scene itself,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“The relevance of that is still unknown. We haven‘t been able to establish the relevance of that.
“We are seeing this from fresh eyes. We‘re looking at this from a completely different angle.
“And we‘re not excluding anyone in relation to who may have perpetrated this violent act upon Roslyn, male or female. So we’re not we’re not discounting anyone.”
Ms Reay was an eccentric and popular member of the eclectic Cooks Hill community before her death.
And it was Ms Reay’s gentle and supportive nature which made the original investigation so hard – hundreds of people were interviewed and over 100 had their DNA profiles taken without a hit.
Det Supt Doherty said the strike force had placed fresh eyes on a difficult case, and when it began it would not rule out anyone in the brief.
“[This is] not just about the money but doing the right thing,” he said at the reward announcement.
“And hopefully we can get some information that progresses the investigation, because that‘s what we all want.
“We want the person who‘s responsible for this incredibly egregious violent murderous act upon a lovely woman who was at our own home and her manner of death is atrocious.”
Ms Deer – who has courageously fought for two decades for justice for her mother – said she had her suspicions on who was responsible.
But she said she did not have credible evidence to support her theory.
Detectives have publicly said in the past they believe Ms Reay knew her killer.
“There doesn‘t seem any rhyme or reason like it seems personal as all I can say,” Ms Deer said.
Det Supt Doherty said forensic evidence was also being re-examined as investigators remained in Newcastle to knock on doors and conduct fresh interviews.
“I still think the answer is in the Hunter still and I think it‘s important in the Newcastle area. That’s why we’re here,” he said.
“That‘s why the unsolved homicide team are here and that’s why Mandii and her family and friends are here – because we want to let people know this is where the investigation is and those who have either committed the murder or have information about the murder are in this area, are in this town, and it’s important that we appeal to them.”
Ms Deer said the fight for justice for her mother had remained difficult as the years went on.
She said the reward announcement was the best news her family had received for a long time and she was adamant she would continue her fight.
“I didn‘t die that day that Mum did,” she said.
“And she would want me to keep living but how do you – that‘s hard.
“Every time I used to have a moment of happiness or anything like that I’d instantly feel guilty.
“How can I when that person who has done that to my mum is still out there.
“But you know, 18 years, that‘s a long time. You have got to keep going.
“The only other option is not to and that‘s not an option when it comes to me so and I’ve got to stay strong and keep fighting to hopefully get justice for my mum. So that’s what I do.”
“Through our investigations with the renewed strike force, we have been going back through all evidence collated, including forensic material, to ensure we leave no stone unturned.”
“We are hoping this reward may spark someone’s memory who may have spoken to or associated with Roslyn in the March of 2005, and may be able to help us piece together her final movements.”
Anyone with information that may assist Strike Force Oro 2 investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Suspect’s nudie run after gun found in stolen car
A bush manhunt by cops on foot and in the air north of Newcastle has failed to find any trace of a pantless driver wanted after officers recovered a gun from a stolen car.
Bikie’s tighty whitey drug stash uncovered after dunny assault
A fight night bathroom assault at a Newcastle club led cops to the home of a nominee Nomads bikie, where officers then uncovered drugs and cash, some of which was stashed in his undies.