An alleged serial killer linked to three brutal murders over 13 years cannot be arrested because the case against him is not strong enough, detectives say.
Major Crime detectives said they were certain three murders between 1998 and 2011 in South Australia were committed by the same man.
Grandmothers Phyllis Harrison, 71, and Beverley Hanley, 64, were murdered in 1998 and 2010 respectively, and their Adelaide homes were ransacked.
The cold cases of three people murdered over a 13 year period are forensically linked and the work of a serial killer, detectives have revealed (pictured is Phyllis Harrison)
Stephen Newton, 55, was found almost two months after being attacked in his unit in 2011, and items were stolen from his home.
‘We now have proof that the same offender is responsible for all three deaths,’ Detective Superintendent Des Bray said.
‘There has been speculation in the past that the same offender was involved, but now I can say we have proof and we believe theft was the motive in all three matters.’
Despite their surety, Detective Superintendent Des Bray said on Wednesday they could not arrest the man yet.
Major Crime detectives said they are certain the killings, which took place between 1998 and 2011 in South Australia, were committed by the same man (pictured is Beverley Hanley)
Det Supt Bray said the police were close to making the arrest, but appealed for more people to come forward and offer their assistance.
‘It’s clear that some people have withheld information and some people have told lies. Some of those people may be scared of this offender,’ he said.
‘I would encourage them to contact us directly or through a solicitor and we will help them with their safety and to work through the issues.’
Julie Lane, victim’s daughter, pleaded with the public to help bring the murderer to justice.
‘This person needs to be caught, this person needs to pay for what he did. Our life hasn’t been the same since,’ she said.
Grandmothers Phyllis Harrison, 71, and Beverly Hanley, 64, were murdered in 1998 and 2010 respectively, and their Adelaide homes were ransacked (pictured is Stephen Newton)