‘Fresh evidence’: Pub altercation to form part of North Queensland murder after 41 years

An altercation at a North Queensland pub before a 20-year-old man vanished will form part of investigations into one of the nation’s most baffling cold cases. 

An altercation that occurred at a North Queensland pub in the hours before a 20-year-old man vanished without a trace will form part of investigations into one of the nation’s most baffling cold cases. 

Anthony Jones, known as Tony, was last seen on or about 12 November 1982 in the small township of Hughenden, west of Townsville. 

Tony last spoke with family about 8:50pm on November 3, advising them he planned to hitchhike from Townsville to Mount Isa.

Investigations identified that the phone call came from a telephone box at Bowen Road in Townsville, however, Tony failed to arrive at Mount Isa and has not been heard from since.

Police have identified multiple witnesses that can place Tony as being in Hughenden on November 12, where it is believed he attended The Grand Hotel that evening.

Detective Sergeant Brenden Stevenson of Townsville CIB said in November 2022 said police were provided with “fresh evidence” about an “altercation at the The Grand Hotel on the evening of the 12th of November, 1982” involving two people.

Tony Jones, who went missing on November 3, 1982 between Townsville and Mount Isa Picture: Unknown

He said on January 19, 1983 police received a handwritten letter under the name ‘Lochiel’ postmarked from Cairns, indicating Tony may have been buried in the Fullerton River.

“Investigations to date have not identified the author of this letter. This area has been searched extensively by police … and no remains have been found,” Det Sgt Stevenson said.

“We are making an appeal today for the person who wrote that letter to come to the police.

“It certainly is a piece of the puzzle we would like to have, but unfortunately we don’t, so we have to move forward and focus on what we have in the future.

“We’ve taken in excess of 70 statements, there’s been in excess of 300 inquiries conducted in recent times just to identify information that may lead to the person responsible for this offence.

“This job next month will be 41 years old, technology changes, procedures change … the main thing is to try and appeal for public assistance in relation to try and move this forward for closure for the family.”

A number of persons of interest have been investigated, and numerous land-based searches conducted in areas including the Fullerton River, Cloncurry River and Hughenden Slaughter yards.

“We have persons of interest in relation to this matter but I can’t comment on that,” Det Sgt Stevenson said.

Witnesses have told police they saw missing hitchhiker Anthony "Tony" Jones at The Grand Hotel before he vanished in 1982.

Tony’s brother Mark Jones has told The Courier-Mail that the family were “caught off guard” by Thursday’s press conference. “We welcome the increase of the reward and hope that something good comes of it. But we are utterly devastated to hear other details provided by the lead detective this morning,” he said.

At the time of his disappearance Tony was carrying a Voerre .22 calibre rifle with serial number 257435, a large blue backpack with aluminium framing and green sleeping bag, a green one-man tent, along with various personal items such as toiletries.

None of these items have ever been recovered.

In 2002, the Coroner ruled that Tony had died at the hands of a person or persons unknown and that investigators believed the 20-year-old had been murdered. 

In 1983, a $20,000 reward was offered as part of the ongoing investigation.

In 1990, this was updated to $50,000. In 2004, it was further updated to $250,000.

On 19 January 1983 police received a handwritten letter under the name ‘Lochiel’ postmarked from Cairns, indicating Tony may have been buried in the Fullerton River.

The inquest was reopened by the Attorney-General in 2010, commencing in 2016 and concluding in 2017, with a date to be advised for the delivery of the Coroner’s findings.

With active investigations underway, detectives from Townsville Criminal Investigation Branch (CIB) were approved to increase the reward on offer to $500,000.

Detectives will be conducting further investigations in Hughenden on Saturday October 14 and Sunday October 15, and urge any community members with information to come forward.

Det Sgt Stevenson said police are confident someone out there has the information needed for the matter to be solved.

“More than 40 years has passed now and in that time loyalties change, any information no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, could be the key to bringing closure for Tony’s family,” Det Sgt Stevenson said.

“If you were in Hughenden or at the Grand Hotel on the 12th of November in 1982, you may have seen something that could be crucial to this investigation, it is never too late to come forward.

“We are also urging anyone with any information as to the whereabouts of Tony’s rifle, or the identity of the person who posted police the letter from Cairns in 1983, to please contact police.”

During the inquest in 2016, police revealed they had two persons of interest – Kevin Wright and John Eastaughffe, according to the Townsville Bulletin at the time.

The inquest heard Mr Wright made disclosures to former girlfriends about how he had killed a man and disposed of his body in slaughter yards in the 80s.

Police at the inquest also said people had come forward with information that Mr Eastaughffe was also involved.

Mr Wright was compelled to give evidence at the inquest after a failed application to avoid the proceedings, and repeatedly denied having those conversations with former girlfriends about killing a person.

Mr Eastaughffe also gave evidence at the inquest and denied any involvement in Tony’s death.

Neither have been charged.

The Coroner’s Court of Queensland said the findings would be finalised when police had finished their investigation.

“There is an ongoing police investigation in relation to Anthony’s disappearance,” a spokesman said.

“The Queensland Police Service is continuing to follow-up specific lines of inquiry in relation to the matter at the State Coroner’s direction.

“The findings will be finalised after the State Coroner is advised in relation to those inquiries.”

The $500,000 Queensland Government Reward is for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this murder. 

The Government reward further offers an opportunity for indemnity against prosecution for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the murder, who first gives such information.

Originally published as ‘Fresh evidence’: Pub altercation to form part of North Queensland murder after 41 years