4 days ago
Inquest into Australian triple murder cold case has 'extensive evidence'
An investigation into the murder of three friends while on holiday 46 years ago is gathering "extensive" evidence ahead of hearings into the cold case, a coroner has heard.
Two of the slain were New Zealanders.
Karen Edwards, 23, Tim Thomson, 31, and Gordon Twaddle, 21, left Alice Springs with their dog, Tristie, for a motorcycle trip to Mount Isa on October 2, 1978.
Trixie. (Source: Queensland Police)
The trio were found dead with gunshot wounds in remote bushland at Spear Creek, 12km north of Mount Isa.
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Queensland coroner David O'Connell was today given an update on preparations for an inquest into the deaths, which is due to start hearings in October.
Counsel assisting Amelia Hughes said parties involved would receive a copy of the brief of evidence and witness list in September.
"It's quite an extensive brief. That process is still underway with investigations ongoing," she said today.
Edwards' sister and other family members listened remotely to the coroner's pre-inquest conference by phone.
Thomson and Twaddle were family friends from New Zealand and shared a passion for motorcycles.
Edwards was Thomson's girlfriend.
Tim Thomson's BMW motorcycle. (Source: Queensland Police)
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Once they reached Cairns, the friends planned to head south to Melbourne for Christmas with family.
They were last seen alive leaving the Moondarra Caravan Park in Mount Isa in a brown and white Toyota Landcruiser station wagon four wheel drive with a man on the morning of October 5, 1978.
Queensland police in 2019 renewed a AU$250,000 reward for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murders.
Former NSW prison guard Bruce John Preston was charged in April 2019 with the murders and granted bail in February 2020.
Crown prosecutors dropped all charges against Preston in July 2023.
The inquest will hold hearings over nine days in Brisbane Coroners Court from October 7.
The hearings are due to end days before the 47th anniversary of the victims being found dead.
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Timeline of events
Monday, October 2, 1978 – the trio embark on motorcycle trek from Alice Springs with Tim and Karen travelling with their dog on a distinctive red 1977 BMW 100S with a homemade side car carrying Tim's nine-month old Doberman, 'Tristie'. Gordon was riding a blue 1977 Suzuki GS750 with Victorian registration.
The group travelled to Aileron and camped at Ti Tree in NT overnight.
Tuesday, October 3, 1978 – the group stopped at Wauchope, 'Devils Marbles' and 'The Three Ways'.
They meet a male motorcycle enthusiast at Frewena before camping with him overnight at Barry Caves.
Wednesday, October 4, 1978 – group continued to travel with the man to Mount Isa but only Karen, Tim and Gordon checked into the Moondarra Caravan Park in the afternoon.
On Wednesday evening, the trio were joined by a man in a brown and white Toyota Landcruiser.
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Thursday, October 5, 1978 – the trio are seen leaving the caravan park with the man in the Toyota Landcruiser, leaving the motorcycles and dog behind.
Later on Thursday, the same vehicle returns to the park with a man seen alone looking for the dog.
Friday, October 6, 1978 – all property except for the sidecar has been removed from the campsite and the dog located at the Mount Isa Dump.
October 24-25, 1978 – the bodies of Karen, Tim and Gordon are discovered in bushland at Spear Creek
November 13, 1978 – a 23-year-old local man is arrested after being found in possession of Tim's red BMW motorcycle.
— timeline source, Queensland Police.
