Rachelle Childs
Rachelle pictured with the late racing car driver Peter Brock
August 05, 2008 01:40pm
The body of Ms Childs, 23, was
found in flames by the roadside in bushland at Gerroa, on the south coast, on
June 8, 2001. An inquest with nine persons
of interest ended today with an open finding. Coroner Jane Culver said the
cause of death remained undetermined because of the condition of the body - but
it was most likely murder. She urged any member of the
public with information to come forward, no matter how small the information
might seem, as the smallest link could lead to the perpetrator. Ms Culver made an extensive
list of recommendations on how police should conduct murder investigations in
future. These mainly involved better cooperation between local detectives and
the Homicide Unit. Outside Glebe Coroners Court
Ms Childs's father Graham said he was pleased with the police but admitted he
did not expect to find his daughter's killer. "I'm still hopeful but I
couldn't say optimistic," he said. "My greatest fear is that
we do find this murderer, and that greatest fear is that we find out because
he's done somebody else. "For a father and mother
sister and not knowing who it was, but also having that fear, is something
that's very difficult to live with." He added that he continued to
believe his daughter's murderer had been known to her because despite her
"larger than life" personality she would never go to a club without
someone she trusted. Her car was found in the
carpark of the Bargo Hotel but it was unknown who she was going to meet. The NSW Government is expected
to announce an award for information leading to Ms Childs's killer later this
afternoon. The NSW government has offered a
$100,000 reward for information on the
murder of Sydney woman Rachelle Childs. Ms Childs' body was found partially
clad and burnt at Gerroa, on the NSW south
coast, in June 2001. An inquest into the car saleswoman's
death found she had been murdered but there
was not enough evidence to charge anyone. Her family says their greatest fear if
that her killer may only be caught after the
person strikes again. Her father Graham urged people who
knew details of the final days of his
daughter's life to come forward. Mr Childs said the smallest piece of
information could help. "You shouldn't have to offer a reward
for someone to come forward after the death
of such a beautiful girl. Everyone loved
her," he said. "I've grown more frustrated ... I'm
still hopeful. "My greatest fear is that we do find
this murderer and that greatest fear is we
find out because he's done this to somebody
else." Ms Childs' burning body was found by a
security guard on roadside bushland at
Gerroa, on the NSW south coast, about 2.20am
on June 8, 2001. The 23-year-old woman was last seen by
an acquaintance driving out of Camden on the
Old Hume Highway between about 4.45pm and
5.15pm the day before. On Tuesday, deputy state coroner Jane
Culver concluded the long-running inquest
into her death with a finding of homicide. Counsel assisting the coroner Peter
Singleton said not all nine people named as
persons of interest at the inquest were
still in that category, but did not
elaborate. Among the persons of the interest who
appeared at the proceedings was Ms Childs'
former boss at Camden Holden, Kevin Correll. Ms Culver said many witnesses had
given evidence and many inconsistencies were
revealed. "At this stage, there is insufficient
evidence to satisfy a jury beyond reasonable
doubt that a known person has committed an
indictable offence in relation to Ms Childs
death," she said. Ms Culver said there was a possibility
of a new inquest. "It is understood that the NSW Police
will continue to investigate fresh evidence
into Ms Childs' death," she said. She found it was likely that Ms
Childs' killer had driven her car to the
Bargo Hotel, where it was found after she
disappeared, because the seat and the club
lock were in unusual positions. Police remain convinced she was
meeting someone to do with work the night
she went missing. Ms Culver also recommended a review of
the way suspicious deaths are investigated
in the first two days, mainly centred around
cooperation between the Homicide Squad and
Local Area Commands. "The police investigation in the early
period following Ms Childs' death
unfortunately was not able to capture some
items of evidence which are no longer
available to the current investigating
police," she said. Mr Childs said he did not believe the
different arms of the police force had
coordinated well, but he did not place any
blame on police over the handling of the
case. "The only person I blame is the
murderer," he said. Homicide squad commander Detective
Inspector Geoff Beresford said some
recommendations had already been put in
place. "The coroner has covered all aspects
of the investigation and made appropriate
recommendations which we will take on
board," he said. Anyone with information should contact
Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
AN inquest has failed to find who killed beautiful Rachelle
Childs seven years ago, prompting her father to reveal his greatest fear - the
murderer may strike again.
Rachelle Childs'
death a homicide: probe
August 5, 2008, 7:08 pm
- Yahoo News
