Eddie Crabbe cold case murder step closer to being solved with new DNA technology

Groundbreaking new technology never before used in Australia could be the key to solving the murder mystery of a Brisbane father and bringing closure to his family.

Groundbreaking technology never before used in Australia could be the key to solving the murder mystery of a Brisbane father and bringing closure to his family.

Owen Edward Crabbe, known as Eddie, was brutally murdered in a frenzied attack inside his Beachcombers hotel room on the Gold Coast in 1982, but no one has ever been charged.

Forty years later, police are offering a $500,000 reward and have released a new image of a suspect – created with advanced DNA technology – using blood found at the crime scene.

Mr Crabbe’s son, Tracey Crabbe, urged anyone with information to come forward to help solve his father’s case.

Victim Eddie Owen Crabbe

Sketch of a man wanted in relation to the murder

“I know it’s 40 years ago, but whether you were at one of the clubs that nights, and you saw my father, you saw someone who was a bit not quite right. Just come forward,” Tracey said.

Eddie, 57, was found murdered in his hotel room on May 31, 1982.

At the time of his death, Eddie was enjoying a full life, had recently come out as gay, and was spending a weekend partying on the Gold Coast.

He had told friends he was spending the weekend with a friend named Michael, and checked into his hotel on May 28.

Later that day, Eddie was spotted leaving his hotel room with a man in his 20s with long, scruffy hair.

Eddie was also spotted several times across the weekend at pubs and clubs, but was last seen alive at Conexions nightclub at Surfers Paradise between 11.30pm and 12.30am on the morning of May 30.

The Beachcomber in 1982, where the body of Brisbane storeman Eddie Owen Crabbe was found

Cleaners discovered Eddie’s body in his hotel room on May 31. He had been violently beaten and stabbed.

Seventy witnesses were spoken to and a rough sketch was drawn of the man spotted leaving Eddie’s hotel a few days earlier.

Blood samples were also taken from the room, but no one has been charged.

Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said they reopened Eddie’s cold case in 2020 and have developed a new image of a suspect based on blood left on Eddie’s body.

A DNA-generated image of a man police want to to speak to in relation to the cold case murder of Owen Eddie Crabbe in May 1982

It’s the first time the technology has been used in Australia.

“It’s amazing that all these new things are out there,” Detective Kentwell said.

Newcastle University criminologist and forensic anthropology associate professor Dr Xanthe Mallett, who has been working with police on the case, said the image was built through genetic genealogy.

Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell

Criminologist Xanthe Mallett

Researchers are able to access national and international databases of DNA samples to determine ethnicity, hair colour, eye colour and complexion of the man.

They found 15,000 links, but Dr Mallett said more people needed to register their genealogy profiles to FamilyTreeDNA and GEDmatch to narrow the scope.

“This is a huge breakthrough,” Dr Mallett said.

“When you choose to upload your DNA profile and opt-in for law enforcement access, you are potentially helping police progress serious cases, such as murders and sexual assaults, as well as helping to identify unidentified deceased persons.

“Your DNA could help solve real crimes and provide answers to families who have lost a loved one.

The scene of murder of Eddie Owen Crabbe printed in The Courier Mail in 1982

“But we’ve got no close matches. So that’s why we’re making this special appeal today, because obviously, we need more information in those genetic databases, so that we can add even more people.”

Owen “Eddie” Crabbe (right), who was murdered in Surfers Paradise in May 1982, with his son Tracey Crabbe

Mr Crabbe said he believed a “random” killed his father, who he said was incredibly trusting and generous.

A $500,000 reward has now been posted for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who killed Eddie.

Report information anonymously to Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

Originally published as Eddie Crabbe cold case murder step closer to being solved with new DNA technology