Latest news with #BlairAthol
ABC News
5 days ago
- ABC News
Police reveal vehicles of interest in Rosemary Brown and Melissa Trussell cold case murder investigation
South Australian police say they have identified two vehicles of interest amid a renewed investigation into the murder of Rosemary Brown, and the suspected murder of her 15-year-old daughter Melissa Trussell. Ms Trussell and her 33-year-old mother were last seen in Blair Athol, in Adelaide's north, at about 2:30am on Saturday, May 13, 2000. Ms Brown's body was found seven weeks later in mangroves at Garden Island in Adelaide's north-west on July 2, but Melissa's body has never been found. Police launched a fresh search at Garden Island in July, where a submerged vehicle was found during the investigation. Police have now said that vehicle is no longer of interest as part of the investigation. The Garden Island search involving Water Operations Unit divers has concluded and no further evidence was located at the site. However, Major Crime Investigation Branch officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said police calls for further information had received a "positive response". Police said one of the vehicles was a blue Ford XD Falcon sedan which had been seen by a member of the public in the Osborne area in the days following the disappearance of Ms Brown and Ms Trussell, prior to Ms Brown's body being discovered. The other vehicle was a fawn-coloured Holden VB Commodore sedan "with a distinctive brown trim" which police said they were still investigating to ascertain the "exact role" it played in the murder and suspected murders. "A mother was murdered and her body disposed of and her teenage child remains missing, believed murdered. "We believe that more than one person was involved in this horrific crime." Police said a previous caller to Crime Stoppers provided valuable information which had assisted with the investigation's progress and were urging that person contact them again for further discussions. There are also renewed calls for anyone with information about the crime or the vehicles of interest to contact police. Police are offering a reward of up to $1 million for anyone who provides information that leads to the conviction of the person or people responsible for the suspected murder of Ms Trussell, or the recovery of her remains. A reward of up to $200,000 is on offer for anyone who can help police convict anyone involved in the murder of Ms Brown. 'It is vitally important for the family and also to ensure those responsible are held accountable for their actions,'' Mr Fielke said. 'These rewards are a significant amount of money and can be life changing for anyone who has information and is willing to come forward and assist. Now is the time to come forward."
Daily Mail
18-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Discovered vehicle could help solve 25-year-old cold case
Police divers scouring a river bed have found a vehicle that could be linked to the suspected murder of a 15-year-old girl who disappeared 25 years ago. Melissa Trussell and her mother Rosemary Brown, 33, were last seen leaving their home in the northern Adelaide suburb of Blair Athol about 2.30am on May 13, 2000. Rosemary's body was located in the Garden Island mangroves weeks later but Melissa's body was never found. They had a breakthrough when locating a vehicle that could be linked to the case. A section of the front grille was retrieved which could help with identification of the vehicle. Officers are investigating whether the vehicle is connected to the murder of the mother and the suspected killing of the teenager. Attempts might be made to recover the vehicle for further examination with the search to continue for another day, police said. Divers scoured a previously unsearched area of water and mangroves on the island's northern side. 'This search really does show to everyone that we never give up trying to find answers to those investigations,' Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke told reporters. Det Fielke did not know why the area near Garden Island was not searched 25 years ago but a cold case review identified it as a place for further investigation. A number of exhibits obtained in the initial investigation have been resubmitted for forensic testing to see if modern technology might result in new leads. Police believe Melissa and her mother were murdered in 2000, but no one has been charged, or any motive revealed. Det Fielke hopes someone would come forward and explain what happened to the pair. 'Twenty-five years is a long time, a lot of water goes under the bridge, people's allegiances change over time, people forget about it, some people don't forget about it,' he said. 'We are always in there prodding and poking away trying to get a breakthrough.' 'A parent shouldn't outlive their child ... and for a long time Melissa's disappearance has messed me up,' he said. 'I'm hoping some fresh information will finally come to light to help police solve the case.' A reward of $1million is available to anyone who provides information leading to the arrest of a suspect in Melissa's murder or the recovery of her remains. Up to $200,000 is available to anyone with information that leads to the arrest or conviction of those responsible for Rosemary's murder.
News.com.au
02-07-2025
- News.com.au
‘Ongoing pain': SA Police issue fresh appeal to crack cold case disappearance, murder of mum and daughter
Police have made a fresh plea for information in a 25-year-old cold case involving the disappearance of a teenager and the unsolved murder of her mother, with a $1m reward now being offered to help crack the case. Rosemary Brown, 33 and her daughter Melissa, 15, were last seen leaving their Blair Athol home, near Adelaide, about 2.30am on May 13, 2000. The pair were reported missing by Ms Brown's friends the following day and a major crime was declared about a week later. On July 2 that same year, Ms Brown's body was found in mangroves at Garden Island. Melissa's remains have never been found. In a renewed appeal for help to solve the case, Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke urged anyone with information to come forward, no matter how insignificant it may seem. 'This is a particularly disturbing case. A mother was murdered and her body disposed of, (and) we believe Melissa was also murdered,' he said. 'It's tragic for the family of Rosemary and Melissa to experience this long passage of time with no answers about what happened to their loved ones. 'I have no doubt that numerous people either know what happened to Rosemary and Melissa or have information that will assist the investigation into their suspected murder. 'We appeal to them to contact police and provide that information.' No-one has ever been charged with any offences in relation to the disappearance of Ms Brown or Melissa. 'As you can imagine, that's 25 years of ongoing pain and suffering for the family, not knowing what has happened to Rosemary or Melissa, and also not allowing the family the ability to lay Melissa to rest,' he said. 'I have no doubt at all that there are people out there that know what happened to Melissa and Rosemary and have information that may assist the investigation into their disappearance and murder.' Sergeant Fielke said they identified persons of interest over the years and investigations were conducted on those people, but they never had enough evidence or information to lay charges. He said they had reviewed evidence and conducted DNA testing on items that had been seized in relation to the suspected double homicide. 'A handbag was found in the days after they were reported missing (which) will be resubjected to forensic testing,' he said. 'We're following some positive lines of inquiry, but we can always have more information, and sometimes it's those little pieces of the jigsaw puzzle that we're looking for to put it all together. 'We never give up on these things, and we'll always look for persons of interest or suspects in this case.' Sergeant Fielke said after two decades friendships and allegiances may have faltered or splintered and there could be people who wanted to get something off their chest. 'We think there are people that will know information, and the passage of time actually might help that, because they're not so tied to who they were 25 years ago,' he said. The South Australian government is offering a $1m reward for information and assistance leading to a conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for Melissa's suspected murder. A $200,000 reward is also being offered for information relating to Rosemary's murder. Melissa's father Barry and half-sister Kayla recently visited the last believed location of Melissa and her mother on Stirling St in Northfield remember her. Kalya said Melissa was her best friend and hoped to give her the farewell she deserved. 'We need to know where she is and what happened to her,' Kayla pleaded. 'We want to see the person or people who have caused our pain brought to justice.' Melissa's father Barry said he believed more than one person was involved in his daughter's disappearance. 'My message to the people responsible, because I don't believe it to be just one person: it's better to come forward now with information,' he said. 'A parent shouldn't outlive their child … and for a long time (Melissa's disappearance) has messed me up.
ABC News
02-07-2025
- ABC News
Family joins renewed calls for information into cold case of Rosemary Brown and Melissa Trussell
The family of an Adelaide mother and daughter who disappeared 25 years ago are calling for people with information to contact police. Rosemary Brown and Melissa Trussell, also known as Melissa Brown, were last seen in Blair Athol, in Adelaide's north, at about 2:30am on Saturday, May 13, 2000. Rosemary was 33 and Melissa was 15. Rosemary's handbag was found later that day in Stirling Street, Northfield, but it was not handed into police until May 23 after a public appeal about the missing women. On Sunday, July 2, 2000, Rosemary's body was discovered in mangroves at Garden Island, in Adelaide's north-west. Melissa has never been found and police believe she was also murdered. Melissa's father, Barry Trussell and her sister Kayla, joined renewed calls from police for information on the case. Mr Trussell said 25 years was a long time to go without answers about his daughter's disappearance. "The what if's, you know, what sort of mother would she have been? What sort of life would she have led?" he said. "All these things are taken away from her and extra enjoyment we could've got out of life having her involved in our life. "Any little bit of information you've got can help, no matter how small. It can be what breaks the case." Kayla said the family just needs to know what happened to her sister. "The damage is done, enough time has passed," she said. Kayla said her family had experienced "decades of pain" and were asking "to get the answers and to get the justice". "It's all that we can really ask for," she said. She described her relationship with Melissa as "gorgeous" when the pair were young. "She was my best friend," she said. "We would always play Barbies together, play ponies … I could pretty much make her do anything, I was just her little brat sister. "We were just so close." "She was always happy to just do whatever was going to make me happy as a little kid." SA Police released a new image of Melissa earlier this year in a bid to spark public interest in the case. According to Crime Stoppers SA, Rosemary was evicted from the Windsor Gardens Caravan Park on May 3, and moved around in the days before her disappearance. A reward of up to $1,000,000 has been on offer for information and assistance that leads to the conviction of those responsible for the suspected murder of Melissa, while a reward of up to $200,000 has been on offer for the same in Rosemary's case. Today, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said police hoped someone with information would do the right thing and come forward. "No one has been charged for any offences relating to the disappearance of Rosemary and Melissa at this time," he said. He said a number of people had been identified as persons of interest over the years. "There has been investigations conducted on those people, we haven't yet gained enough evidence or had enough information to lay any charges," he said. "Everything points to the fact that she's [Melissa] not alive. I'd love to say that she is, but the reality is that it's highly unlikely that she is." He said police hoped advancement in technology, particularly in DNA testing, would help find a breakthrough in the case. He said a handbag found in the days after the pair were reported missing would be re-subjected to forensic testing. He said "it's time" for anyone with information to come forward. "I appeal to your conscience, I appeal to your moral fibre to come forward and tell us because after 25 years, it's time that we're able to give some comfort to the family." Those with information are asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.
Edinburgh Reporter
25-04-2025
- Edinburgh Reporter
Cosy cottage with view over Blair Atholl
Skip loads of rubble were cleared, the cottage was insulated, new plumbing and electric circuits introduced, and a heat pump installed. Painters and decorators were brought in and estate staff had fun choosing the colour scheme and much of the furniture. The garden, overlooking a river, was landscaped and a tasteful holiday cottage created. Shades of the past remain, like a deep Belfast sink, but the kitchen is superbly equipped with a microwave, induction hob, plus substantial fridge and freezer. It took us a few anxious minutes to discover how to work the hob with the aid of YouTube, mind you, but we got there, part of the getting-away experience. The two upstairs bedrooms – one double and one twin – are reached by a wood panelled staircase. The heavy floral wallcovering might not be to the taste of everybody, but the rooms are superbly finished and two hot water bottles were on the beds on arrival. A nice touch. The sizeable downstairs bathroom has a shower in the bath – a tad difficult for those over 5ft 9in – and toiletries by Sea Kelp Scottish fine soaps, and the heating hovers between 19c and 22c, ample for the property which also has a warming log burner in the lounge. Almost forgot, don't worry if you have forgotten to bring a phone charger, they are built into the plug sockets. The land around the cottage is farmed by the Blair Athol castle team. It is an organic, regenerative farm, primarily focused on native Aberdeen Angus cattle, black-faced sheep and Highland cows. While waiting for the kettle to boil pre-breakfast, we noted a huge hare out one window and a beautiful pheasant out the other. Lots of smaller birds were heard and they are apparently attracted by the hedge planting programme across the estate. Walks are available from the front door. Glen Tilt is over the hill from the cottage, sadly our walk was curtailed by forestry work, but nearby there are a number of circular trails, including a native woodland scheme in Glen Fender which has recently been planted. You could also opt to step out on signposted paths dotted around the local area and, you can, of course, walk round Blair Castle, the home of the Atholl family for over seven centuries. Incidentally, the earliest known part of the present castle dates from 1269 and entry is free with your stay. Try to time your visit to link with the piper, a great favourite with foreign visitors, and the castle grounds host a well-appointed children's play park. For those who like to bag Munros (Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet), there is the option of Beinn a Ghlo, a range with three Munro summits including Carn Liath and if you are of a more active persuasion, Nae Limits at Ballinluig, offers canyoning, white water rafting (weekends, June to September) and quad biking. Of course, there is also a bunjee jump (40 metres, 132 feet) above the River Garry in nearby Killiekrankie. Landmark Forest Adventure Park at Aviemore and the Highland Wildlife Park at Kingussie, Activity Kids at Stanley (outdoor adventure park, indoor soft play and family-friendly animals), and clay pigeon shooting at Dunkeld are within reach. So is the Highland Chocolatier shop, home of Master Chocolatier, Iain Burnett, at Grandtully, which boasts a month-watering selection, and also interesting information on chocolate production. Soldiers Leap at Killicrankie, an 18ft leap across the fast-flowing Garry River, Dunkeld Cathedral, Pitlochry Dam and Visitor Centre, where there are displays on hydro-electricity, dam history and salmon breeding, plus a café and gift shop, are accessible. Atholl Country Life Museum, once a village school, with artifacts in three small galleries relating to local area life, plus a lovingly reconstructed post office of the 1930s, is also popular, but don't miss the Blair Atholl Watermill which is still producing stoneground oatmeal and flours and dates back to the 1590s. The attraction, just behind the station, also houses a café with fab fruit scones made using their own four and a range of warming coffees, including lactose-free options. Segway and bike hire is possible at Blair Athol and you can indulge in equestrian sports. Blair Athol, Pitlochry and Dunkeld all have golf courses and there are local cinemas in Perth and Aberfeldy. The Birks at Aberfeldy, kept alive by community funders, loyal customers and volunteers, do live screenings and special events and the busy café has a varied selection. Home-made tomato and herb soup was our pick and it was delicious. The well-known Pitlochry Festival Theatre, described as the artistic heart and soul of Highland Perthshire, is close. Back at the well-quipped, dog-friendly, cottage, which also boasts a laundry room with Bosch washing machine and tumble dryer, there are games including chess, draughts, dominoes and cards, and a good wi-fi connection. The TV has Disney, Netflix, Prime Video and Rakuten (video-on-demand) TV options. An extremely helpful welcome book is provided with information on what to do if things go wrong at the cottage during your stay and useful telephone numbers for the local hospital, doctor, dentist, vet, chemist, opticians, garage and car repairs are listed. Grocery shopping is available in Blair Athol including The Larder, which is primarily organic, in the caravan park reception building. A Spar shop and a local store are also available and bakeries, butchers and delicatessens outlets are listed along with breweries and distilleries, restaurants, spas and gyms. The hugely popular House of Bruar, a family-run business, sometimes described as the Harrods of the North, houses an upscale department store plus classic Tweed and cashmere clothing plus outdoor wear, as well as gifts. There is also a fishing section and an extensive food hall with butchery and fish departments plus a fish and chip shop – you can buy lobster and chips, by the way – and it is minutes away by car. Talking of food, our welcome pack included eggs, mouth-watering Lazy Ploughman cheese from the Isle of Kintyre – cheese is combined with home-made caramelised onion – crunchy Clearspring organic Scottish oatcakes, vegan, high in fibre and with no added sugar, lightly-salted organic butter packed for Calon Wen and from Carmarthenshire, and an extremely tempting unsliced loaf of bread plus tea, coffee (rich Italian ground) and sugar. Linen is supplied, including dish cloths, along with plenty of pots and pans and dishes. The accommodation is several miles up a steep, single-track road, but, sitting on the patio, overlooking a forest and hills stretching far into the distance, and listening to the water rumbling over rocks in the nearby river, it was hard to beat. Atholl Estates also offer a wide selection of holiday accommodation for couples, families and groups and you can choose from Highland Lodges, cottages and luxurious Sheperd Huts. Woodland Lodges and a range of options in the caravan park in the Blair Castle grounds are also available. Atholl Estates: 01796 481 355: enquiries@ Blair Castle and Gardens: 01796 481 207: bookings@ Blair Castle Caravan Park: 01796 481 263: bookings@ Highland Lodges and Shepherd Huts: 01796 481 355: stay@ PICTURE: Visitors to Blair Castle enjoy the piper. BLAIR CASTLE: selection of weapons WHEELY GOOD ATTRACTION: a look at some of the machinery at the Blair Atholl Watermill COMMUNITY CINEMA: The admirable community-funded cinema and cafe at Aberfeldy COSY: The lounge with wood burner in the cottage Like this: Like Related
