Carrington: Homicide squad establish fresh strike force in hunt for killer of Joanne Teterin and Susan Kay

A wicked double killer has walked free of the shackles of justice for a quarter of a century. But some extraordinary enhancements in forensic technology have detectives believing the suburban murderer’s days are numbered.

Police outside house the home on Doran Street at Carrington the day after the bodies of Susan Kay and Joanne Teterin were discovered on May 17, 2000. A coroner would later rule they were murdered on May 11, 2000. Picture: Robert McKell.

Significant breakthroughs in DNA and forensic technology are laying the groundwork for homicide squad detectives to solve a cold case double murder mystery that has paralysed grief for two families and haunted a working class suburb for a quarter of a century.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal that a new police strike force has identified more than 150 pieces of evidence taken from the crime scene of a quaint cottage in the inner Newcastle suburb of Carrington, where the bodies of Susan Kay and Joanne Teterin lay for six days before being discovered in 2000, which need further analysis.

READ ON OPEN LETTER FROM SUSAN’S DAUGHTER HERE

The crucial time lapse between the pair being brutally bludgeoned to death and the discovery of their remains has been a curse for investigators amid decades of fears that crucial forensic evidence had been lost forever.

However, detectives on Strike Force Raphoe II, established on April 1 and comprising investigators from the state’s unsolved homicide squad, have new-found vigour and hope in the hunt for the brutal killer who has evaded capture for 25 years.

With the 25th anniversary of the murders on Sunday, new homicide squad commander, Det Supt Joe Doueihi, confirmed that strike force investigators had already identified “priority exhibits” from the crime scene that had been sent away for further testing using enhanced technologies.

Victim Susan Kay.

Victim Joanne Teterin.

The priority exhibits are some of the 150 pieces of evidence identified from the crime scene which could now attract DNA profiles and other clues which were unavailable to detectives during the original investigation.

That first investigation, dubbed Strike Force Raphoe, continued for years before an inquest was held – and abruptly ended – after a coroner referred the brief of evidence to prosecutors for possible charges to be laid.

Homicide squad commander, Det Supt Joe Doueihi, believes fresh forensic testing could prove crucial in the hunt for the person who murdered Susan Kay and Joanne Teterin. Picture: NewsWire / Simon Bullard

“It was very close when it went to inquest and we think we need to tie-up a few loose ends,” Det Supt Doueihi said.

The homicide squad boss said that included the full forensic review of the case by investigators and experts from the forensic and analytical science service (FASS).

Det Supt Doueihi said detectives had prioritised the most important exhibits and were using the new technology to enhance old DNA and “upscale the profiles to current standards”.

“We have been categorising exhibits in relation to exhibits taken from the crime scene, and that includes items we believe the offender had contact with,” he said.

The double murder of the two young women inside Ms Teterin’s home shocked Newcastle – and the revelation that the killer was known to at least Ms Teterin has darkened the nightmares.

Police inspect Ford Falcon panel van on Doran St, Carrington after the bodies of Susan Kay and Joanne Teterin were discovered in the cottage in 2000. Picture: Gary Graham

Detectives continue to believe the killer rang Ms Teterin’s home from a public phone booth just over 100 metres away – it was a well-worn plan for the small time amphetamine and cannabis dealer to make sure anyone wishing to deal would ring ahead first.

Det Supt Doueihi confirmed it was still their belief that the killer was known to Ms Teterin, 38, and that they had walked into the premises after being invited in.

Ms Kay, 32, had been clean for six months after battling addiction and appeared to be getting her life back together before she made the fateful decision to stay at her friend’s place for the night.

Police believe Ms Kay was only killed because she was there, a theory which has continued to haunt her daughter Samantha Kay.

Speaking publicly for the first time about her mother’s murder, the now 34-year-old Samantha has pleaded for more information.

Samantha Kay, the daughter of Susan Kay who was murdered in Newcastle in the year 2000. The 25th anniversary of her death, which is still unsolved, is on Sunday. Picture Ross Swanborough

“My family and I are desperate for justice for my mum,” Samantha, who was just nine when her mother was murdered, said.

“NSW Police have created a strike force dedicated to reinvestigating her case and it gives us new-found hope that we may get the answers to the questions we have had for 25 years.

“ We need closure. Mum deserves justice and I have all the confidence in the police that they will do all they can to make that happen.”

Det Supt Doueihi said the span of time between the murder and now could have also allowed people who may have knowledge of the case – and even of the killer – to come forward.

“There has been a lengthy period of time and life circumstances change,” he said.

“There are witnesses and offenders who may have not been willing to co-operate in the past 25 years and their circumstances have changed and we are asking them to come forward.”