Stacey Lee Kirk
IT'S a murder that has gone unsolved for
almost two decades.
No one has ever been found guilty of the sexual assault and strangulation of
young schoolgirl Stacey Lee Kirk at the Maitland Show in February 1984.
Her family has endured several police investigations, an inquest and eventually
the case against a showman charged with Stacey's murder was dismissed because of
a lack of evidence.
But recent improvements in DNA profiling have given detectives vital new
information in the hunt for the killer of the 16-year-old.
Yesterday strike force Shyok detectives renewed appeals for people with
information to come forward.
Detective senior sergeant Alex Pollock said police had received fresh
information from the public regarding the murder.
Sgt Pollock said he hoped a new $100,000 reward the NSW Government posted would
encourage other people to come forward.
Stacey Lee's body was found under a tarpaulin at Maitland Showground on February
19, 1984. The Tenambit schoolgirl had been sexually assaulted, her underpants
had been stuffed in her mouth and a pair of men's underpants were tied around
her neck.
A post mortem later revealed she had been strangled.
Stacey Lee was last seen alive at the show by her friends about 9.30pm on
February 16.
She walked away from the shooting gallery towards the toilets but did not meet
them at 10pm at the showground gates as agreed.
Earlier, Stacey Lee and her friends had joked with itinerant show workers in
sideshow alley. Her body was found two days later.
A 1988 inquest into the murder handed down an open verdict.
In 1991, travelling show stall operator Richard Stevens, 32, from Mascot, was
charged with the crime.
In November 1991, the charge against Stevens was dismissed after three witnesses
refused to support their statements in court.
- Frances O'Shea
(28-2-2003)