Triple murder accused Steven Hainsworth says ‘I didn’t kill any of them’
A SUSPECTED serial killer accused of three gruesome murders dating back to the 1990s has denied any involvement in the slayings — but claims he may know who did.
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A SUSPECTED serial killer accused of three gruesome murders dating back to the 1990s has denied any involvement in the slayings — but claims he may know who did.
Steven Hainsworth, who now lives in Mildura, last night outed himself as the man Major Crime detectives had linked to the South Australian murders through new forensic evidence.
The 43-year-old has been the key figure in all three murder investigations into the deaths of grandmothers Phyllis Harrison, 71, at Elizabeth South in 1998, Beverley Hanley, 64, at Elizabeth North in 2010, and Stephen Newton, 55, at Mt Gambier in 2011.
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“I’m pretty upset because I’ve been accused of a triple murder,” he said.
Mr Hainsworth is Mrs Hanley’s nephew and was living just two streets from her when she was killed. He was living next door to Mrs Harrison when she was murdered.
Mr Hainsworth last night told the Herald Sun he was “not a serial killer”.
“They’ve tried to say I’ve done three murders,” he said.
“I’m pretty upset because I’ve been accused of a triple murder. I lived next door to one, one was my aunty and the other person I didn’t know.”
When the Herald Sun asked who Mr Hainsworth thought killed the three individuals, he said: “I’m not going to say. Maybe I know one but I’m not going to say. Already told police that.”
Mr Hainsworth broke down in tears as he sat at a living room table and stressed his innocence.
“To my family, I love youse, to the police, you’re barking up the wrong tree,” he said.
“You asked me about the victims’ family? Well, I’m one of the victims’ family.
“I hope whoever is responsible is caught so the bloody monkey comes off my back.”
Mr Hainsworth has been living with a man he met a few weeks ago at the Birdcage housing complex on Deakin Ave. He claims police have not spoken with him and have not reached out.
Mr Hainsworth has been the key figure in all three murder investigations since they were committed.
On Tuesday, police revealed the murders were now being investigated by the nine-strong Taskforce Resolute and they had a suspect.
“We now have proof that the same offender is responsible for all three deaths,” Major Crime officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Des Bray said on Tuesday.
Mr Hainsworth is well known to police for petty offending and domestic violence matters and has served time in custody for the offending.
His DNA profile was found at the Hanley murder scene — on a phone plug pulled from the wall. Advanced DNA techniques have been used on a sample found at the Harrison murder scene. At the time of that murder, Mr Hainsworth was living next door.
In 2012 during the initial investigations into Mr Newton’s death, Mr Hainsworth was arrested, charged and convicted over the theft of some of Mr Newton’s property.
Supt Bray said yesterday police had received several calls to Crime Stoppers following Tuesday’s appeal for information.
“I would like to thank those people for coming forward and would continue to appeal for anyone with information to speak with police now.”
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