New mystery car lead in Josh Warneke cold case review

Mystery car emerges in the cold case investigation into the fatal wounding of Broome man Josh Warneke seven years ago.

A LandCruiser like the one seen on the night Josh Warnecke was attacked. Picture: Facebook.

A mystery car has emerged in the cold case investigation of Josh Warneke, the 21-year-old man found fatally wounded on the side of a Broome road seven years ago.

The new lead comes after a notoriously flawed police investigation led to the jailing of Gene Gibson, an illiterate and brain-damaged desert Aboriginal who was 18 when Warneke was killed. Gibson spent almost five years in prison for manslaughter but even Warneke’s own mother Ingrid Bishop became convinced he did not do it, and this year Gibson’s conviction was overturned and he was released to go home to Australia’s most remote Aboriginal community of Kiwirrkurra.

Josh Warnecke was attacked on a night out.

Since April, Cold Case Homicide Squad officers have been reinvestigating the crime, and today they appealed for public help to identify a distinctive vehicle with a novelty numberplate seen near where Warneke’s body was found.

“New information provided to detectives describes a white Toyota ’79 Series’ LandCruiser two door tray top utility,” the cold case squad announced on Facebook today.

“The vehicle had a “BUNDY” novelty numberplate and car flag poles on either side of the frame behind the cab.”

Acting Detective Superintendent Pete Branchi from the Special Crime Division said the LandCruiser drove along Short Street into Old Broome Road around the time of Warneke’s death early on Friday, February 26, 2010.

“Despite all the publicity about this case since 2010 the driver of the LandCruiser has never come forward, so we are appealing for public assistance to identify the vehicle, its driver and any other occupants,” Acting Superintendent Branchi said.

Witnesses have previously told police that after a night out with friends Warneke was seen at approximately 2.45am walking at the intersection of Old Broome Road and Short Street, heading north towards Roebuck Estate where he lived.

At 2:54am a taxi driver travelling on Old Broome Road saw Josh lying on the side of the road.

“Investigators believe the occupant, or occupants, of the LandCruiser saw Josh on Old Broome Road around the time of his death,” Acting Detective Superintendent Branchi said.

“So it is very important we speak to the driver and any passengers of that vehicle, or anyone who has information about that vehicle and its occupants.

“Their information, however insignificant it may seem to them, may help bring Josh’s killer, or killers, to justice.”

The State Government is offering a $250,000 reward for information about the murder as well as recommending a protection from prosecution, or a pardon, in some circumstances for persons not directly involved in Josh’s death.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au

Phone calls and online reports to Crime Stoppers can both be made anonymously.