Cold case detectives charge 80-year-old suspect with murder more than five DECADES after a man disappeared
- Man, 80, charged with the alleged murder of a man who vanished 55 years ago
- Vincent Allen, 22, last seen in Warwick in Queensland’s south-east in 1964
- His body has never been found in one of Queensland’s oldest cold cases
- Breakthrough after Vincent O’Dempsey was charged with murder on Tuesday
An 80-year-old man has been charged with the alleged murder of a police informant who vanished 55 years ago in one of Queensland’s oldest cold cases.
Vincent O’Dempsey, 80, has been charged with the 1964 murder of Vincent Allen, then 22, who was last seen getting into a car with a known informant at Warwick in Queensland’s south-east on April 18, 1964.
His body has never been found.
O’Dempsey was taken to Brisbane watch house before he appeared in court on Tuesday afternoon for a brief procedural mention.
The case was adjourned until September 16.
Vincent O’Dempsey, 80, (pictured) being driven to Brisbane Watch House on Tuesday after being charged with the alleged murder of Vincent Allen 55 years ago
The breakthrough into the cold case comes just weeks after Queensland Police announced a $250,000 reward for information relating to the alleged murder of Allen.
Police confirmed last month they were looking into a person of interest who is alive but wouldn’t delve into further detail.
A labourer and local rugby league player, Allen had been assisting police with their investigations into jewellery store robberies at the time he vanished.
He was spotted getting into a maroon Holden sedan with a white roof in Grafton Street, Warwick and was never seen again.
He was expected to play in a rugby league game the next day but was a no show.
A coronial inquiry in 1980 found that Allen likely died in the Warwick area.
Vincent Allen disappeared without a trace on April 18, 1964. His body has never been found
The reward was part of a review by Homicide Cold Case detectives that began last year.
Investigators have since painstakingly reviewed thousands of pieces of information dating back to the time of the 1964 murder.
Police also located and interviewed original and newly identified witnesses.
‘Following our appeal in July, we have received valuable information from the public which has assisted us greatly with this investigation,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell of Homicide’s Cold Case Investigation Team said.
However, I am more than confident there are still people out there who hold information relating to this crime or those persons involved.’
O’Dempsey (pictured) is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court later on Tuesday following the breakthrough in one of Queensland’s oldest cold cases
Police reiterated on Tuesday that the $250,000 reward remains on offer for anyone with information about Mr Allen’s death.
‘I would caution any person out there responsible for a cold case murders to take no solace in the passage of time.
‘This arrest is an example of our unwavering commitment to review and investigate Queensland’s unsolved homicides and to bring offenders to justice. Even after 55 years, murders can be solved,’ Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said.