Iain Stewart Hogg and Frederick Hugh Rosson: Major update in 2002 Gold Coast cold case

New revelations have been made about a mysterious double murder case, with a new witness coming forward to provide a dramatic account of the first victim’s final moments. Read the full details.

A witness has told police investigating a suspected double murder that he saw one of the victims being chased into an underground car park by a group of men armed with baseball bats and large pieces of timber.

Officers have also uncovered DNA profiles which may be of the killers after re-examining items related to the disappearance and suspected murder of Currumbin man Iain Hogg, and the murder of Mt Nathan man Charles ‘Slim’ Alexander Johnston (also known as Frederick Rosson) at Mt Nathan just four days later.

Detectives believe both men were not involved in any criminal activity, nor known to each other, but that they were killed by the same culprits.

Currumbin man Iain Hogg

Charles "Slim" Alexander Johnston (also known as Frederick Rosson)

Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Inspector Mark Mooney on Monday said a new witness had come forward following a recent appeal to say they saw Mr Hogg being chased by the group of men on the night he went missing.

“At the time of his disappearance Iain Stewart Hogg was 45 years old and the manager of the Liquorland bottle shop at Burleigh Town Tavern. He was residing at the Sanctuary Lakes Apartments, Teemangum St, Currumbin,” Det Insp Mooney said.

“We now believed he was last seen around dusk on the tenth of March 2002, driving in a 1992 red Toyota Celica sedan in the underground car park at the Sanctuary Lakes apartments.

“Since our last appeal a witness has come forward and has reported seeing Mr Hogg being chased into the underground car park by three or four males in a white sedan.

A white Toyota Corona sedan similar to the one police believe may have been used by the killers of Iain Hogg.

“The males were hanging out of the vehicle and verbally threatening Mr Hogg and brandishing weapons.

“From the witness account the white sedan has chased Mr Hogg along Teemangum St in Currumbin in a northerly direction.

“Investigators believe the white sedan described is similar in make and model to a 1982 Ford Laser or Meteor, or a 1996 Toyota Corona sedan.

“Police are seeking anyone who has information about this vehicle to come forward.”

A CZ 75 pistol – early variant with curved trigger guard. It is similar to the gun Charles ‘Slim’ Alexander Johnston was selling that was used to kill him.

Mr Johnston was shot in the head in a rear garage at his Mt Nathan home on Thursday March 14, 2002.

The weapon used to kill the 68-year-old, a CZ 9mm pistol, was his own – he had advertised it for sale in The Personal Trading Post and that day had a planned meeting with two men interested in buying it.

A Toyota Celica coupe seen at Mr Johnston’s home was the one stolen from Mr Hogg just days earlier.

Iain Hogg’s red Toyota Celica was found at Palm Beach.

Det Insp Mooney said that cold case officers had also discovered new DNA evidence after re-examining items in the case.

“We are now completing a comprehensive forensic review of all exhibits linked to these two cases,” he said.

“Significant scientific advances in DNA testing are now returning positive DNA results which were negative in 2002.

“This retesting has already returned DNA profiles of possible persons of interest.

“This re-examination has also now forensically linked ballistic evidence from 22 Pademelon Pass, Mt Nathan (Mr Johnston’s address), to Mr Hogg’s red Toyota Celica, upon it being seized.

“This has firmed up our suspicion that these two offences were committed by the same people.”

Mr Hogg’s body has never been found, although his blood was found on the banks of the Tweed River on March 11, leading police to believe he was dumped in the water.

Com-fit images of two suspects were released, but nobody has ever been charged with the murders.

Rewards of $1 million have been offered for information that leads police to the killers.

Indemnity is also being offered to accomplices who may have been involved in the incidents, but were not the person who committed the murders, if they come forward with information.