K9 search of Rachelle Childs’ prized Holden as police test fuel cap for fingerprints

A new video shows trained dogs searching Rachelle Childs’ car, as police seize the petrol cap for fingerprint testing that could unlock major clues into her case. See the footage and listen to the podcast.

EXCLUSIVE: NSW police have seized the petrol cap from the beloved car of Rachelle Childs for fingerprint testing after re-opening the investigation into her 2001 death.

Forensic officers from the New England region arrived at the property of Rachelle’s sister Kristy Childs to examine, photograph and remove the petrol cap.

Police methods for fingerprint testing now include chemical processes, which can reveal prints not visible to the naked eye, as well as traditional dusting methods.

Ex detective and cold case specialist Damian Loone and Rachelle Childs sister Kristy talk about the case while looking at Rachelle's Commodore. Picture Jeff Darmanin

The cap testing follows a separate complete car search by private investigative company Search Dogs Sydney, commissioned by the Childs family.

Exclusive video shows assessors and their K9s pouring over the Holden and their surprise that the carpet in the boot was missing. It had previously been removed by police, forming part of the murder case’s exhibits.

The assessors recommended the petrol cap be fingerprinted, as they could find no indication it ever had.

Police have seized the petrol cap of Rachelle Childs’ beloved Holden Commodore for fingerprinting. Picture: Jeff Darmanin

On the night of Rachelle’s death, it is suspected her car was driven from her home in Bargo, south-west of Sydney, to her final resting place in Gerroa, more than 100km away.

It is believed the car must have been refilled with petrol for the return journey, given Rachelle rarely put more than $10 worth of petrol in the car at any one time.

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The final hours of Rachelle’s life after she left work late in the day of June 7 remain a mystery.

Her car was discovered in the carpark of the Bargo Hotel the day after her burning body was discovered.

The position of the seat, and steering lock, suggested that someone other than Rachelle had last driven the car.

Service station CCTV footage from possible routes was seized, but some of it was later lost in police storage.

The 1978 Holden Commodore VB has sat in storage on Kristy’s property since it was returned to her by police.

The car was examined by police soon after Rachelle’s death in 2001, then again in 2006.

Ex detective and cold case specialist Damian Loone and Rachelle Childs sister Kristy look inside the boot of at Rachelle's Commodore. Picture: Jeff Darmanin

Swabs were taken from the steering wheel, seat adjustment points, seatbelts and mirrors.

It was vacuumed for samples and items inside the car were fingerprinted.

But there was no record of the petrol cap being tested for fingerprints.

For more information about our investigation, visit dearachelle.com.au

If you have any tips or confidential information, please contact investigative journalist Ashlea Hansen at [e-mail].

You can also join our Dear Rachelle podcast Facebook group.

Originally published as K9 search of Rachelle Childs’ prized Holden as police test fuel cap for fingerprints