One million dollar reward in hunt for Krystal Fraser’s killer

Krystal Fraser was just days from giving birth when she vanished in 2009. Now police say a fight with a man over her pregnancy could be the key piece of evidence to bring her killer to justice.

A single suspect is the focus of investigations into the disappearance of heavily pregnant, intellectually disabled woman Krystal Fraser as police today announce a $1 million reward to bring her killer to justice.

Krystal, 23, vanished from her flat in Pyramid Hill, 240km west of Melbourne, on the night of June 20, 2009, three days before she was due to deliver a baby boy she planned to name Ryan.

The new $1 million reward replaces a $100,000 reward offered in the case in 2012.

Detective Acting Inspector Julian Horan of the Missing Persons Squad told the Herald Sun that fresh information from the public received earlier this year refocused the investigation on a man interviewed by police early in the case.

A $1 million reward is being offered to help bring Krystal Fraser’s killer to justice. Picture: Supplied

Krystal had been admitted to the Bendigo Hospital on Friday, June 19, to rest before she gave birth to Ryan, but in details never before disclosed, Det Insp Horan said she checked herself out against medical advice the next day, telling staff she was going to a party at Cohuna, 40km north of Pyramid Hill, that night.

Krystal, a frequent V/Line passenger, caught a train home to Pyramid Hill, visiting an acquaintance about 9.30pm before leaving for home.

In another revelation, Det Insp Horan said Krystal received a 40-second phone call at 11.59pm from a public phone outside the post office at Leitchville, 27km east — the last of 15 calls from that phone box to her mobile in May and June 2009.

Krystal could not drive, but her phone last pinged off phone towers near Leitchville at 2.49am on Sunday, June 21. No trace of Krystal or her phone has ever been found.

“What we don’t know is: was there actually a party in Cohuna? If so, who attended and what was the specific location? What can’t be ruled out is that the invitation was a guise to lure Krystal to a location where she met with foul play,” Det Insp Horan said.

Krystal received a short phone call from the phone box outside the Leitchville post office.

He said calls to Krystal from the Leitchville public phone came the day she was admitted to hospital and at 5.42pm on the day she was last seen.

Krystal never named Ryan’s father, but Det Insp Horan said police now believe the suspect had a confrontation with Krystal over her pregnancy.

“The information we have revolves around the man having a relationship with Krystal, involves the pregnancy and that the pregnancy caused concern to this person. That may have resulted in her disappearance and death,” he said.

“We’re looking for anyone in the Pyramid Hill/Leitchville/Cohuna area who can shed further light on relationships involving Krystal. That’s what we believe will solve this case — information from people who knew Krystal and the circles in which she moved, that knew who she was in relationships with. That will unlock the mystery.” he said.

The Herald Sun is not suggesting this man was involved in Krystal’s death, only that he is being treated as a suspect.

Krystal's mother Karen Fraser. Picture: Jamie Duncan

Det Insp Horan said he believes police now have a good chance of solving Krystal’s murder.

“The new information we’re releasing, the $1 million reward really breathes life into this investigation and I can confidently say that we are far closer than ever to solving this matter,” he said.

He appealed to anyone with further information to contact Crime Stoppers.

MORE TRUE CRIME STORIES

WAS BEECHWORTH BOB’S DEATH AN ACCIDENT?

COLOURFUL LIFE OF HELLS ANGELS FOUNDER

“Come forward. Do the right thing for Krystal’s family. Do the right thing for the community. She is one of the most vulnerable people in the community. Krystal has struggled with some intellectual impairment. She was in a most vulnerable state — nine months pregnant and about to give birth — and something terrible has happened to her.”

Krystal’s mother Karen Fraser thanked the Victorian Government and Victoria Police for increasing the reward.

“I’m happy, and I hope it helps. I believe that rewards should be the same for everybody. I don’t think you can put a price on a person’s life. I think Krystal’s life is worth a billion dollars, but I’m glad they’re upping the reward,” she told the Herald Sun.

Anyone with information is urged to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report to crimestoppersvic.com.au.

[e-mail]

@JDwritesalot