Noel Thomas FOSTER

Police search bushland following historical murder – Mount Brown

Thursday, 10 Dec 2009 05:10am

NSW Police attached to Lake Illawarra Local Area Command will conduct a search of bushland this weekend in connection with a murder more than thirty years ago.

Police allege Noel Thomas Foster shot his defacto, Marion Ramsay Calder Hamilton, on the Old Princes Highway (now Prince Edward Drive) at Brownsville, on 14 June, 1973.

Following the shooting Mr Foster left the area in a 1965 Holden sedan NSW registration GDS 524 that was later found dumped in Wyndarra Way, Koonawarra. A witness informed police at the time, he noticed a man matching the description of Forster enter bushland at Mt Brown carrying a .22 rifle.

A search of the area was conducted by police with no trace found of Foster or the firearm. Several unconfirmed sightings took place in the area during the following days, with police continuing to search with the aid of police dogs and Polair.

A warrant for Mr Foster’s arrest has been issued since 1973. Numerous inquiries in Australia and overseas have been conducted with no trace of Foster since 16 June 1973.

On Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 December 2009, police from Lake Illawarra Local Area Command, will return to Mt Brown, where a search for the possible remains of Noel Foster will be conducted.

The search will involve 20 police from Lake Illawarra and 40 officers from the Volunteer Rescue Association and State Emergency Service personnel.

Investigators are appealing for anyone who has any information this matter, and have not been spoken to by police in recent months, to contact Lake Illawarra Police on 02 42952699 or Crime Stoppers on
1800 333 000.