Karen Anne MORTON

   Karen MORTON

Circumstances

At the time of her disappearance Karen Morton was residing in a unit at Pennington, SA. Due to Karen's failure to appear over time Police together with family members have fears for her safety and welfare.

Adelaide man under the spotlight in two separate cold case investigations

By 9NEWS
An Adelaide man is under the spotlight in two separate cold case murder investigations, with fears he could be responsible for the murders of two people seven years apart.
9NEWS can reveal major crime detectives are actively pursuing the lead that has emerged during the investigation into the disappearance of 51-year-old Harry Houston.
The Whyalla father vanished in 2009 after visiting a friend less than a kilometre from his home.
Despite extensive searches on the west coast Mr Houston's body has never been found.
A suspect was identified just days after Mr Houston went missing when his four-wheel drive was found in the possession of someone known to him.
That man claimed he'd bought the vehicle, but it's an explanation that's been rejected by both police and the victim's son who confronted the suspect.
"I said well if you did buy this car then why did my dad leave his belongings in his car and my belongings he wouldn't just leave his belongings in our car," Scott Houston told 9NEWS.
During the investigation detectives became suspicious when they discovered the man was also linked to mother-of-two Karen Morton, who disappeared from her Pennington home in 2002.
Her body has also never been found.
"The person has told us a number of versions about her disappearance and that is still be looked at as well," Detective Inspector Phil Linton from South Australia Police said.
9NEWS can't identify the man for legal reasons, but it can be revealed he's now officially regarded as a person of interest in both cases.
Detectives will now review the files as part of the historic cold case review and any new evidence will be forward to the Director of Public Prosecutions for consideration.

 

New information in disappearance of Pennington mum, Karen Morton, and “Harry” Houston, of Whyalla

The Advertiser

POLICE are steadily unravelling the mystery disappearance and possible murder of two people after linking them to a Whyalla man who is a suspect in at least one of the cold cases.

Operation Persist investigators say they have connected one suspect to the 2009 disappearance of Henry “Harry” Houston, of Whyalla, and that of Pennington mother-of-two, Karen Morton, 35, who vanished seven years earlier.

Police have established that the suspect in the Houston case once lived at a Pennington address with Ms Morton, who was reported missing in April 2002.

Neither missing person knew the other but both were closely associated with the Whyalla man, police say.

“While Ms Morton’s link with her former housemate is of interest to police, we have an open mind about who was involved in her disappearance and presumed murder,” Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Superintendent Des Bray said.

The Major Crime Investigation Branch is leading the operation.

Ms Morton was last seen by her father on February 9, 2002, but the last confirmed sighting of her was on April 5, 2002, when she visited her doctor.

An insulin-dependent diabetic who was addicted to heroin, Ms Morton frequented Adelaide’s western suburbs and sometimes engaged in sex work to fund her drug habit.

Mr Houston also had a history with illegal drugs and would make a daily visit at Whyalla’s Westlands Shopping Centre to collect methadone from the Monarch Pharmacy, which he did at 9am on October, 30, 2009.

At midday the same day, he visited a female friend in Whyalla and after leaving her home about 12.30pm he vanished. 
His distinctive red Toyota 4Runner was seen 30 minutes later parked in the driveway of the suspect’s home.

Det-Supt Bray said that man later told police Mr Houston had sold him the vehicle but the mystery continues.

“We never close unsolved major crime cases in South Australia and since renewed police and media attention regarding these cases last year, there have been 11 reports to Crime Stoppers,” Det-Supt Bray said.

“We know that one simple piece of information can be all it takes to put a killer in jail and bring some justice to the families of those who are missing.’’

Some people are withholding information that could give police critical facts needed to solve both cold cases and ease the pain for the grieving families involved, Det-Supt Bray said

“These families deserve some answers and I would urge those holding on to that information to examine their consciences,’’ he said.

“Information, such as where we can find Harry and Karen, can be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.

“Rewards of $200,000 are available for anyone with information leading to either a conviction or recovery of the remains in both of these cases.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or on the Crime Stoppers website.

 

THE COLD CASE KILLING OF KAREN ANNE MORTON

Posted on 10/02/2020

Karen Morton, aged 35 years, was living with her partner and their two children when she went missing from her Pennington home on 9 February 2002.

The last confirmed sighting of her was on April 5, 2002, when she visited her doctor.

An insulin-dependent diabetic who was addicted to heroin, Ms Morton frequented Adelaide’s western suburbs and sometimes engaged in sex work to fund her drug habit.

She suffered frequent hypo glycaemic attacks as she did not appropriately manage her condition.

Ms Morton regularly attended government agencies seeking medical and financial assistance. She also sought help regarding domestic violence with her partner. The agencies have had no contact with Ms Morton since early 2002.

Police suspect Ms Morton has been murdered.

Investigators have connected a suspect in the disappearance of Ms Morton with the 2009 disappearance of Whyalla man Henry “Harry” Houston.

Neither missing person knew the other but both were closely associated with the suspect.

A reward of up to $200,000 is on offer for information that leads to a conviction or the recovery of her remains.

If you have any information, call 1800 333 000 or make a report at www.crimestopperssa.com.au