Dawson backs fair rewards to solve murders

West Australian Police Commissioner Chris Dawson says he supports "harmonising" rewards to help solve all cold-case homicides.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson is seen addressing the media

WA's police commissioner is backing more consistency with rewards to help solve cold-case murders. (AAP)

Western Australia's police commissioner is backing more consistency with rewards to help solve cold-case murders after some grieving families asked why their cases had missed out while others received jumps in cash offers.

The Labor state government recently boosted the rewards posted for three cold-case homicides to $250,000 and Police Minister Michelle Roberts last week said a review of the reward system was under way.

But the recent announcements has prompted frustrated families of other victims to push for increased rewards for all unsolved cases.

Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said it was not a police decision, but the force provided advice to a committee.

"Ultimately, it's a policy decision and as to what the amount is, that is under review and certainly that committee can give advice to government about that," he told ABC radio on Monday.

"Certainly, if there's inconsistencies or there's some sort of way in which we can harmonise that, that would be a good thing."

The reward increase began with the re-launched investigation into the murder of 21-year-old Joshua Warneke, found dead on the side of a Broome road in February 2010.

Then came the murder of 47-year-old prospector Raymond Kehlet and the disappearance of his 49-year-old wife, Jennie, in the outback area of Sandstone in March 2015.

Last week, the reward was boosted to help solve the disappearance and suspected murder of 28-year-old Lisa Govan, last seen in October 1999 near Kalgoorlie's Foundry Hotel, which at the time was next to the Club Deroes bikie gang clubhouse.

Regarding the Kehlet couple and Ms Govan's cases, Mr Dawson said police had received some information since the rewards were lifted, but it was not advanced to the stage where he could publicly provide details.

"We're still seeking further information on these cases, or any case. We don't actually stop any of them," he said.

"Irrespective of the reward scenario, we will always be ready and open to receive any information."

Mr Dawson said WA had a dedicated cold-case homicide team, which other states were looking at adopting too.

SOME OTHER UNSOLVED HOMICIDES:

* Sarah Anne McMahon, 20, vanished in November 2000 after leaving work in Claremont to meet someone in the Bassendean area. A suspect was questioned during a coronial inquest in 2012 but he denied killing her. No reward has been offered

* Child care worker Kerry Turner, 18, was found dead at Canning Dam in July 1991. It is believed she had been hitchhiking home after a night out. There is a $50,000 reward on offer.


Share

3 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world