Bronwyn podcast: Jon Winfield’s house calls raised suspicions
Frequent visits by Jon Winfield, the longtime suspect in the disappearance of his wife Bronwyn, to the home of a terminally ill woman had aroused suspicions of Lennox Head residents.
Frequent visits by Jon Winfield, the longtime suspect in the disappearance of his wife Bronwyn, to the home of a terminally ill woman had aroused suspicions of Lennox Head residents.
A lengthy email written by someone in the northern NSW town alerted the Bronwyn podcast to the mystery relationship between Mr Winfield and the “lonely and eccentric” Beverley Brooker.
Ms Brooker stunned her family when she left almost all of her multimillion-dollar estate to Mr Winfield, who was renovating her home when she died from cancer 2½ years ago, the podcast revealed on Friday.
“Please find attached some info I’d like to share regarding your investigation and podcast into the disappearance of Bronwyn Winfield,” the email began.
“I only became aware of this case and Jon’s identity in recent years, and was somewhat taken aback.”
The email went on to detail the quiet life of Ms Brooker, who rarely had visitors to her double-storey townhouse facing the ocean at Skennars Head, apart from Mr Winfield who was increasingly present at the property.
“When I looked at the ‘Bronwyn Winfield’ case online, one thing that immediately struck me like a lightning bolt was the uncanny similarity of appearance between the photo of Bronwyn to the likeness of Beverley, albeit that Bev was some 35 to 40 years older,” the email stated.
“To this day it has had me wondering whether there was any connection between Beverley and Bronwyn. Some people have said that Jon and Bev were involved in a clandestine relationship for quite some time, and Jon was visiting Bev secretly over many, many, years.
“Regardless of all of the rumour mongering and hearsay, I feel in my bones that something is just not sitting quite right with regard to Jon Winfield’s interest and involvement in Beverley’s life.”
The podcast is investigating the suspicious disappearance of Mr Winfield’s estranged wife, Bronwyn, 31, from their Lennox Head home on the night of Sunday, May 16, 1993.
He strenuously denies any involvement in her going missing.
Local residents have been sharing their observations with the podcast in the hope of assisting in a resolution in Bronwyn’s case.
Among the correspondence was the email from a person given the pseudonym Alex.
“I do currently feel compelled to write to you, as I think the case needs to be solved and perhaps some of this following information may be of assistance,” Alex wrote.
The email mostly discussed Ms Brooker, who had lived close to Mr Winfield until her death in September 2022, at the age of 71, from mesothelioma that had spread to her brain.
“She seemed quite a lonely person, almost afraid of people. My initial thoughts were that she had some kind of social phobia, or anxiety disorder, or had experienced some kind of trauma throughout her life,” Alex stated.
“She was extremely reclusive and somewhat eccentric. I never noticed her having visitors, other than Jon Winfield or mowing contractors. The house from day to day was extremely well kept but looked unused or somewhat devoid of human occupation.”
Ms Brooker wore the same style ’90s-era outfit every day: Long, dark tights, knee-high or ankle-height boots, with a tight T-shirt or knitted jumper pulled over her tights, and a wide belt pulled tight around her waist.
Her two brand-new brightly coloured cars, with personalised “BEV” number plates, were a contrast to her introverted personality, the email added.
“The blinds and curtains were always closed and you would never know whether anyone was moving about inside the house or whether the TV was on, or see the lights being switched on or off, or if anyone was at home at all.
“She very rarely attended any neighbourhood gatherings or parties. I never saw her go off to community-based activities like exercise classes. Or even take a walk or a swim at the beach which was only minutes away.”
Mr Winfield increasingly came and went from the house, and was able to let himself in, Alex said.
“In the afternoons and on weekends Bev spent many hours caring for the garden, still wearing that same outfit. She did reveal that she had cancer and that the prognosis was not great.
“Around this same time, Bev was doing extensive renovations to the insides of her home. And Jon’s increasing presence at the premises became apparent.
“It seemed to me that Jon was Bev’s only friend and they were obviously very close at the time she was unwell.”
The email added: “It would bug me indefinitely if I did not share these thoughts with someone who has a genuine intent to find the truth behind this whole sad story.”
Alex was unaware at the time of writing the email that Mr Winfield had become the prime beneficiary of Ms Brooker’s estate, estimated to have been worth several million dollars.
Six months before her death, Ms Brooker secretly changed her will to leave almost everything to Mr Winfield, the podcast revealed.
Her previous will from 2011 had left all of her estate to a cousin she was close to.
Ms Brooker’s brothers, Geoff and Paul Outerbridge, say they believe their sister was not of sound mind when she changed her will. They have questioned Mr Winfield’s motives, calling him a “stranger” and “blow-in”.
Do you know more about this case? Contact Hedley Thomas at bronwyn@theaustralian.com.au
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