Tasmania Police launch renewed probe over Simon Crisp’s shooting death outside Marrawah Tavern

Police are confident that a “close-knit” group of people may hold answers to solving a 10-year-old cold case where a man was brutally shot dead outside a remote Tasmanian pub. LATEST >

Marrawah Tavern shooting. Picture: Chris Kidd

Police are confident that a “close-knit” group of people may hold answers to solving a 10-year-old cold case where a man was brutally shot dead outside a remote Tasmanian pub.

On Tuesday, authorities renewed a public call-out for information into the July 13 2013 Marrawah Tavern killing of North-West Coast man Simon Crisp, 44 – who was slain about midnight when taking out the rubbish.

The council employed dog catcher was shot three times in the back and died while his partner and her daughter hid inside the tavern and phoned police.

On Wednesday, Detective Inspector Steve Jones said police believed a “close-knit” group of people had intimate knowledge of what may have happened to Mr Crisp, and that authorities are hoping to speak with them.

Marrawah Tavern shooting, police at the scene, July 2013. Picture: Chris Kidd.

“In the past 12 months we have had a decline in information. Marrawah is a very small community ... the persons of interest we have are very close-knit, we believe,” Det. Insp Jones said.

“Now, with the passing of 10 years, we are hoping that relationships have changed, allegiances have changed – to enable somebody to come forward with that crucial information to secure a successful prosecution ... and so that person or persons can be brought before the court.”

Det. Insp Jones said the leads on the persons of interests were not new, but were reliable since “the early stages of the investigation”.

He said the family was still distraught over the cold-blooded killing, and “need closure”.

When asked if motive was a factor in the shooting, Det. Insp Jones said: “We believe there are some motivations, however, this is an extreme act to take place and Simon certainly did not deserve to have his life taken – whatever those motivations may be.”

A $500,000 reward for information leading to a conviction remains.

Information can be provided to police on 131 444 or anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania.

In cold blood: New probe into man’s pub shooting death

July 11: A fresh probe has been launched over a decade-old unsolved case where a man was gunned down outside a tavern on Tasmania’s remote North-West Coast while his partner cowered in terror inside.

Police are renewing their call for information in relation to the July 13, 2013 shooting death of Simon Crisp, 44, outside the Marrawah Tavern. A reward of up to $500,000 is offered for information which leads to a prosecution.

Crisp, a council employed dog catcher, had gone to the tavern that night to help his partner, Allison Summers (née Nicholls) close the pub.

Approaching midnight, Ms Summers’ ten-year-old daughter was asleep in front of the tavern’s fireplace, waiting for the couple to close so they could fly to Western Australia for a holiday the following day.

Allison Summers (née Nicholls), former partner of unsolved murder victim Simon Crisp at Marrawah. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Crisp took the trash outside at the tavern’s rear. He never re-entered. As the gunshots rang out, Ms Summers and her daughter huddled in fear inside as he lay dying.

Tasmania Police Detective Inspector Steve Jones said Mr Crisp’s death had long been the subject of an “intensive” police investigation.

The decade-old cold case has been reopened by police several times over the years. Picture: Chris Kidd.

“The investigation into Simon’s murder is open and ongoing and it will remain so until the matter is resolved and the person or people responsible are brought before the court,” Det. Insp Jones said.

“To date hundreds of people have been spoken to by investigators and a significant number discounted as to their involvement, however, there remains a small number of persons of interest.”

Marrawah Tavern shooting, forensic investigators at the scene. Picture: Chris Kidd

Det. Insp Jones said investigators held firmly to the belief people in the remote township had “crucial” information in relation to the alleged murder.

“A reward of up to $500,000 remains on offer for information which leads to the prosecution of the person or people responsible for Simon’s murder,” he said.

“Ten years have passed since Simon’s death and we are confident that with the passing of time, personal circumstances may have changed that will enable someone to provide the information required to close this case and provide answers for Simon’s family and friends.”

Ms Summers told the Mercury she was still haunted by the killing two years after it had happened, and believed the culprit was someone in the small community of Marrawah.

Police at the scene. Picture: Chris Kidd.

The closed circuit TV camera at the pub’s rear had stopped working a week before the shooting. Ms Nicholls told the Mercury in 2015 she believed it was tampered with as part of a premeditated murder.

Mr Crisp’s father, Albert Crisp, told the Mercury in 2017 he wanted closure after the “mongrel, gutless act” that had shattered his family.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Burnie CIB on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania on 1800 333 000 or through crimestoppertas.com.au

Information can be provided anonymously.

“Crime Stoppers don’t need your name or personal details, just the information you’re reporting for police investigation, and you can still be eligible for the reward,” Crime Stoppers Tasmania CEO David Higgins said.