By ALENA HIGGINS
WARWICK has become the centre of a fresh investigation into the suspected murder of a Brisbane mother and her two young daughters more than 40 years ago.
The Homicide Squad and regional detectives swooped on two rural properties at Warwick on Tuesday afternoon, seizing a number of items in a bid to solve the mystery surrounding Barbara McCulkin and her daughters Leanne and Vicki.
The three women disappeared from their Highgate Hill, Brisbane home on the night of 16 January 1974.
They have not been heard from since and their bodies have never been found.
Detective Superintendent Steve Holahan of Homicide confirmed the properties at Frees and Glengallan roads were associated with a primary person of interest in the original investigation and 1980 coronial inquiry.
Vincent O’Dempsey was charged with the murder in 1980 before being acquitted in 1981.
Cold case investigators received significant new evidence as a result of an appeal made by Barbara’s family with homicide detectives on the 40th anniversary of their disappearance in January this year.
Investigators joined with the Crime and Corruption Commission in the hunt for new clues in what Det Supt Holahan described as a “distasteful crime”.
“Detectives have interviewed potential witnesses across Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria and have uncovered compelling new evidence surrounding events that took place on the day of their disappearance and subsequent murders,” he said.
“Based on the evidence collected, we now believe we have identified several motives for their murders.
“Barbara McCulkin may have had knowledge about serious crimes and the young McCulkin girls may have been sexually assaulted.”
He said the person of interest was not at the property at the time of the search and there was no warrant out for his arrest “at this point in time”.
But he confirmed investigators would “certainly be making inquiries to locate him in the near future” and did not rule out further searches and interviews.
“We are looking at a number of other serious crimes that occurred around the same time by an organised group of people and their associates,” he said.
He said he was pleased with the investigation and was led to believe a number of the items seized from the Warwick priorities corroborated the different information and versions that had been provided by witnesses.
A reward of $250,000 for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Barbara May McCulkin, Vicki Maree McCulkin and Barbara Leanne (known as Leanne) McCulkin is on offer.
In addition, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice with information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the murders.
Any person who has information in relation to this matter should contact the Homicide Squad direct or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
