backpacker murders

{{Short description|Series of murders in New South Wales, Australia}}

{{Infobox civilian attack

| type = Serial killings

| date = December 1989 – November 1993

| location = Belanglo State Forest, New South Wales, Australia

| target = Backpacker tourists

| fatalities = 7

| perp = Ivan Milat

| convictions = Murder (7 counts), attempted murder, false imprisonment, and robbery

{{Infobox event

| title =

| child = yes

| sentence = 7 life sentences plus 18 years

}}}}

The backpacker murders were a spate of serial killings that took place in New South Wales, Australia, between 1989 and 1993, committed by Ivan Milat. The bodies of seven missing young people aged 19 to 22 were discovered partially buried in the Belanglo State Forest, {{convert|15|km}} south-west of the New South Wales town of Berrima. Five of the victims were foreign backpackers (three German, two British) and two were Australians from Melbourne. Milat, then 51 years old, was convicted of the murders on 27 July 1996 and was sentenced to seven consecutive life sentences, as well as 18 years without parole. He died in prison on 27 October 2019, having never confessed to the murders for which he was convicted.{{Cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/28/australia/ivan-milat-serial-killer-dead-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Australia's 'Wolf Creek' serial killer dies without admitting to 7 murders|last=Westcott|first=Ben|website=CNN|access-date=2019-10-28|archive-date=28 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028081442/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/10/28/australia/ivan-milat-serial-killer-dead-intl-hnk/index.html|url-status=live}}

Murders

=Background=

Up until the mid-1990s, hitchhiking in Australia was viewed as an adventurous and inexpensive, if not completely safe, means of travel.{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/6a2a9abdedca37744d0d17604e9fb332|title=Australian Murders Make Campers, Backpackers Jittery|last=Spencer|first=Geoff|website=Associated Press|access-date=2019-06-26|archive-date=26 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190626050743/https://apnews.com/6a2a9abdedca37744d0d17604e9fb332|url-status=live}} However, unsolved Australian missing-person cases such as that of Trudie Adams (1978), Tony Jones (1982), Naoko Onda (1987){{Cite web|url=http://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=21167741&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjEyMDYyMzI3MCwiaWF0IjoxNTYxNTI1MTUxLCJleHAiOjE1NjE2MTE1NTF9.XtfDYvTFvxQgl2a4A6JEF26vARqT0ZpppLCBVqvuYs4|title=23 Sept 1992, Page 4 - The Age at Newspapers.com|website=Newspapers.com|language=en|access-date=2019-06-26|archive-date=15 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210315114040/http://www.newspapers.com/image/?clipping_id=21167741&fcfToken=eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiIsInR5cCI6IkpXVCJ9.eyJmcmVlLXZpZXctaWQiOjEyMDYyMzI3MCwiaWF0IjoxNTYxNTI1MTUxLCJleHAiOjE1NjE2MTE1NTF9.XtfDYvTFvxQgl2a4A6JEF26vARqT0ZpppLCBVqvuYs4|url-status=live}} and Anna Rosa Liva (1991){{Cite website|url=http://www.australianmissingpersonsregister.com/Liva.htm|title=Anna Rosa LIVA|website=australianmissingpersonsregister.com|access-date=2019-06-26|archive-date=8 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190608182156/http://www.australianmissingpersonsregister.com/Liva.htm|url-status=live}} led those who still hitchhiked to begin to travel in pairs for safety.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, several backpackers disappeared. One case involved a young Victorian couple from Frankston, Deborah Everist (19) and James Gibson (19), who had been missing since leaving Sydney for ConFest, near Albury, on 30 December 1989.{{Cite podcast|url=https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-1/|title=Case 109: Belanglo (Part 1)|date=2019-03-23|website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-31|archive-date=31 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231105457/https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-1/|url-status=live}} Another related to Simone Schmidl (21), from Germany, who had been missing since leaving Sydney for Melbourne on 20 January 1991. Similarly, a German couple, Gabor Neugebauer (21) and Anja Habschied (20), had disappeared after leaving a Kings Cross hostel for Mildura on 26 December 1991. Another involved missing British backpackers Caroline Clarke (21) and Joanne Walters (22), who were last seen in Kings Cross on 18 April 1992.{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/friends-born-of-sorrow/2006/04/23/1145730809381.html%27?page=fullpage|title=Friends born of sorrow|last=Meacham|first=Steve|date=24 April 2006|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=13 January 2014|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810062211/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/friends-born-of-sorrow/2006/04/23/1145730809381.html%27?page=fullpage|url-status=live}}

=First and second victims=

File:Belanglo State Forest sign.jpg in New South Wales]]

On 19 September 1992, two runners discovered a concealed corpse while orienteering in Belanglo.{{cite news|last1=Lennon|first1=Troy|title=Twenty five years ago the first victims of Backpacker Killer Ivan Milat were found in Belanglo Forest|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/twenty-five-years-ago-the-first-victims-of-backpacker-killer-ivan-milat-were-found-in-belanglo-forest-twenty-five-years-ago-the-first-victims-of-backpacker-killer-ivan-milat-were-found-in-belanglo-forest/news-story/f4a31abad223faa68d8d73ca054d297e|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=19 September 2017|archive-date=9 July 2021|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709211448/https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=DTWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailytelegraph.com.au%2Fnews%2Fnsw%2Ftwenty-five-years-ago-the-first-victims-of-backpacker-killer-ivan-milat-were-found-in-belanglo-forest-twenty-five-years-ago-the-first-victims-of-backpacker-killer-ivan-milat-were-found-in-belanglo-forest%2Fnews-story%2Ff4a31abad223faa68d8d73ca054d297e&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=c10062c2840bb31717fee676fa992ba2-1625865288|url-status=live}} The following morning, police discovered a second body {{convert|30|m|ft|-1}} from the first.{{cite books|last1=Whittaker|first1=Mark|last2=Kennedy|first2=Les|title=Sins of the Brother: The Definitive Story of Ivan Milat and the Backpacker Murders|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=acfCYGPaqCoC&pg=PT322 |access-date=13 January 2014|date=10 November 2007|publisher=Pan Macmillan Australia|isbn=978-0-330-36284-9|pages=267–268, 322}} Police quickly confirmed, via dental records, that the bodies were those of Clarke and Walters. Walters had been stabbed 15 times; four times in the chest, once in the neck, and nine times in the back which would have paralysed her. Clarke had been shot 10 times in the head at the burial site, and police believe she had been used as target practice.{{cite news|last=Kennedy|first=Les|title=Back into heart of darkness|url=http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/back-into-heart-of-darkness-20100904-14v5r.html|access-date=11 January 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=5 September 2010|archive-date=16 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140516004029/http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/back-into-heart-of-darkness-20100904-14v5r.html|url-status=live}} After a thorough search of the forest, investigators ruled out the possibility of further discoveries within Belanglo State Forest.{{cite web|url=https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-2/|title=Case 109: Belanglo (Part 2)|date=30 March 2019|access-date=9 June 2019|archive-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218161609/https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-2/|url-status=live}}

=Third and fourth victims=

In October 1993, a local man searching for firewood discovered bones in a particularly remote section of the forest.{{cite books|last=Brown|first=Malcolm|title=Bombs, Guns and Knives: Violent Crime in Australia|year=2000|publisher=New Holland|location=Sydney|isbn=1-86436-668-0|pages=148–153}} He returned with police to the scene where two bodies were quickly discovered and later identified as Gibson and Everist. Gibson's skeleton, found in a foetal position,{{cite web |last1=Sutton |first1=Candace |title=Milat’s respectful farewell that he denied his victims |url=https://www.news.com.au/national/crime/milats-respectful-farewell-that-he-denied-his-victims/news-story/d6fbcf2a85e772a0ad0aaa7e7f441046 |website=news.com.au |date=1 November 2019}} showed eight stab wounds. A large knife had cut through his upper spine causing paralysis, and stab wounds to his back and chest would have punctured his heart and lungs. Everist had been savagely beaten; her skull was fractured in two places, her jaw was broken and there were knife marks on her forehead. She had been stabbed once in the back.{{cite news|title=The nine bodies found in Belanglo forest|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/news/the-nine-bodies-found-in-belanglo-forest/story-e6frg6o6-1225958668442|access-date=13 January 2014|newspaper=The Australian|date=22 November 2010|agency=Australian Associated Press|archive-date=6 June 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140606141605/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/archive/news/the-nine-bodies-found-in-belanglo-forest/story-e6frg6o6-1225958668442|url-status=live}} The presence of Gibson's body in Belanglo puzzled investigators as his camera had previously been discovered on 31 December 1989, and his backpack later on 13 March 1990, by the side of the road at Galston Gorge, in the northern Sydney suburbs, over {{convert|120|km}} to the north.

=Fifth, sixth and seventh victims=

On 1 November 1993, a skeleton was found in a clearing along a fire trail in the forest during a police sweep.{{cite web|title=Timeline|url=http://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/ivan-milat/timeline.html|work=Crime & Investigation Network|publisher=AETN UK|access-date=13 January 2014|archive-date=14 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114010243/http://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/ivan-milat/timeline.html|url-status=live}} It was later identified as that of Schmidl, and bore at least eight stab wounds: two had severed her spine and others would have punctured her heart and lungs.{{cite news|last=Spielman|first=Peter James|title=Suspect charged in seven murders|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19940531&id=MOAhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1VIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6928,2645168|access-date=13 January 2014|newspaper=The Dispatch|date=31 May 1994|agency=Associated Press|archive-date=27 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027002309/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1734&dat=19940531&id=MOAhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=1VIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6928,2645168|url-status=live}} Clothing found at the scene was not Schmidl's, but matched that of another missing backpacker, Habschied. The bodies of Habschied and Neugebauer were then found on a nearby fire trail, on 4 November 1993, in shallow graves {{convert|50|m}} apart. Habschied had been decapitated, and despite an extensive search, her skull was never found.{{cite news|last=Thorne|first=Frank|title=Skull found in hunt for more victims of British girls' killer|url=http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/196577/Skull-found-in-hunt-for-more-victims-of-British-girls-killer|access-date=13 January 2014|newspaper=Daily Express|date=31 August 2010|archive-date=13 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140113164707/http://www.express.co.uk/news/world/196577/Skull-found-in-hunt-for-more-victims-of-British-girls-killer|url-status=live}} Neugebauer had been shot in the head six times. There was evidence that some of the victims did not die instantly from their injuries.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-48346543|title=The 'backpacker killer' and unanswered questions|first=Gary|last=Nunn|date=27 October 2019|access-date=27 October 2019|via=www.bbc.com|archive-date=5 June 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605222132/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-48346543|url-status=live}}

=Search for the serial killer=

In response to the finds, on 14 October 1993, Task Force Air, containing more than 20 detectives and analysts, was set up by the NSW Police. On 5 November 1993, the NSW government increased the reward in relation to the Belanglo serial killings to $500,000.{{cite web|title=Case 109: Belanglo (Part 2) cebo|url=https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-2/|website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast|date=30 March 2019|access-date=9 June 2019|archive-date=18 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218161609/https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-2/|url-status=live}} Public warnings were also given, particularly aimed at international backpackers, to avoid hitchhiking along the Hume Highway. After developing their profile of the killer, the police faced an enormous volume of data from numerous sources.{{cite web|last=Mouzos|first=Jenny|title=Investigating Homicide: New Responses for an Old Crime|url=http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/conferences/outlook4/mouzos.pdf|work=Australian Institute of Criminology|publisher=Australian Government|access-date=13 January 2014|page=5|archive-date=14 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114120013/http://www.aic.gov.au/media_library/conferences/outlook4/mouzos.pdf|url-status=live}} Investigators applied link analysis technology to Roads & Traffic Authority vehicle records, gym memberships, gun licensing, and internal police records. As a result, the list of suspects was progressively narrowed to a short list of 230, then to an even shorter list of 32.{{cite book|last=Mena|first=Jesús|year=2011|title=Machine Learning Forensics for Law Enforcement, Security, and Intelligence|location=Boca Raton, FL|publisher=CRC Press (Taylor & Francis Group)|isbn=978-1-4398-6069-4}}

There were similar aspects to all the murders.{{cite AustLII|NSWSC|795|1998|litigants=Regina v Milat|date=26 February 1998}}. Each of the bodies had been dumped in remote bush-land and covered by a pyramid of sticks and ferns.{{cite book|last1=Whittington-Egan|first1=Richard|last2=Whittington-Egan|first2=Molly|title=Murder on File|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SZeFTLPGtigC&pg=PT312|access-date=14 January 2014|date=18 October 2013|publisher=Neil Wilson Publishing|isbn=978-1-906476-53-3|page=312}} Forensic study determined that each had suffered multiple stab wounds to the torso, and many showed signs of sexual assault. The killer, probably a local with a 4WD, had evidently restrained and spent considerable time with the victims both during and after the murders, as campsites were discovered close to the location of each body. Matching .22 bullets, shell casings, and cartridge boxes from two weapons also linked the crime scenes. Speculation arose that the crimes were the work of several killers,{{cite book |last=Hickey|first=Eric W.|title=Encyclopedia of Murder and Violent Crime|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dDOW75aJMR8C&pg=PA313 |access-date=14 January 2014|date=22 July 2003|publisher=SAGE Publications|isbn=978-0-7619-2437-1|page=313}}{{cite news|last=Maynard|first=Roger|title=Did Australia's backpacker killer have an accomplice?|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/did-australias-backpacker-killer-have-an-accomplice-2198469.html|access-date=13 January 2014|newspaper=The Independent|date=30 January 2011|archive-date=25 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125214620/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/did-australias-backpacker-killer-have-an-accomplice-2198469.html|url-status=live}} given that most of the victims had been attacked while as pairs, had been killed in different ways, and buried separately.

On 13 November 1993, police received a call from Paul Onions (24) in the UK. On 25 January 1990, Onions had been backpacking in Australia and, while hitchhiking from Liverpool station towards Mildura, had accepted a ride south out of Casula from a man known only as "Bill".{{cite news|last1=Starick|first1=Paul|title=Belanglo State Forest once again the home of nightmarish murder|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/belanglo-state-forest-once-again-the-home-of-nightmarish-murder/news-story/16f26fd7b5a8d83d658b15059a780435|access-date=26 January 2018|work=The Advertiser|date=22 October 2015|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709211510/https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=AAWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.adelaidenow.com.au%2Fnews%2Fbelanglo-state-forest-once-again-the-home-of-nightmarish-murder%2Fnews-story%2F16f26fd7b5a8d83d658b15059a780435&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=8703d81dd3b4b6b3fe270e8aab8b137c-1625865309|url-status=live}}{{cite book|last=Newton|first=Michael|title=The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DwNVbOcTncwC&pg=PA178|access-date=13 January 2014|date=1 January 2006|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=978-0-8160-6987-3|pages=178–179}} South of the town of Mittagong, and less than 1 km from Belanglo State Forest, Bill stopped and pulled out a revolver and some ropes stating it was a robbery, at which point Onions managed to flee while Bill pursued and shot at him.{{cite news|title=Backpacker murders: How backpacker Paul Onions survived a close encounter with evil Ivan Milat|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/true-crime-scene/backpacker-murders-how-backpacker-paul-onions-survived-a-close-encounter-with-evil-ivan-milat/news-story/440554edab618a9bcf8ea0de17c3a21b|access-date=26 January 2018|work=Herald Sun|date=15 May 2015|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709211508/https://www.heraldsun.com.au/subscribe/news/1/?sourceCode=HSWEB_WRE170_a&dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.heraldsun.com.au%2Fnews%2Flaw-order%2Ftrue-crime-scene%2Fbackpacker-murders-how-backpacker-paul-onions-survived-a-close-encounter-with-evil-ivan-milat%2Fnews-story%2F440554edab618a9bcf8ea0de17c3a21b&memtype=anonymous&mode=premium&nk=d67da4c63fe84a52fb97479d6aee4331-1625865307|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last=Oliver|first=Robin|title=Born to Kill – Ivan Milat|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv-reviews/born-to-kill--ivan-milat/2006/07/25/1153746844314.html|access-date=11 January 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=26 July 2006|archive-date=8 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108143906/http://www.smh.com.au/news/tv-reviews/born-to-kill--ivan-milat/2006/07/25/1153746844314.html|url-status=live}} Onions flagged down Joanne Berry, a passing motorist, and together they sped off and described the assailant and his vehicle to the Bowral police.{{cite news|last=Murray|first=David|title=Backpacker who escaped Ivan Milat to return to Australia|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/backpacker-who-escaped-ivan-milat-to-return-to-australia/story-e6freooo-1225825004932|access-date=13 January 2014|newspaper=The Courier-Mail|date=31 January 2010|archive-date=22 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822153254/http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/backpacker-who-escaped-ivan-milat-to-return-to-australia/story-e6freooo-1225825004932|url-status=live}} On 13 April 1994, detectives re-found the note regarding Onions' call and sought the original report from Bowral police, but it was missing. Fortunately, a constable had recorded details in her notebook. Onions' statement was corroborated by Berry, who had also contacted the investigation team, along with the girlfriend of a man who worked with Ivan Milat, who thought he should be questioned over the case.{{cite news|last1=Small|first1=Clive|title=On the trail of a ... serial killer|url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/on-the-trail-of-a--serial-killer-20140413-36m7u.html|access-date=26 January 2018|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=19 April 2014|archive-date=26 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180126193530/http://www.smh.com.au/national/on-the-trail-of-a--serial-killer-20140413-36m7u.html|url-status=live}}

Arrest and trial

On 26 February 1994, police surveillance of the Milat house at Cinnabar Street, Eagle Vale commenced.{{cite podcast|url=https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-3/|title=Case 109: Belanglo (Part 3)|date=6 April 2019|access-date=9 June 2019|archive-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012110123/https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-3/|url-status=live}} Police learnt that Milat had recently sold his silver Nissan Patrol four-wheel drive shortly after the discovery of the bodies of Clarke and Walters.{{cite book|last=Marriott|first=Trevor|title=The Evil Within – A Top Murder Squad Detective Reveals The Chilling True Stories of The World's Most Notorious Killers|url=https://archive.org/details/evilwithintopmur0000marr|url-access=registration|access-date=10 January 2014|date=4 September 2013|publisher=John Blake Publishing|isbn=978-1-78219-365-4|page=[https://archive.org/details/evilwithintopmur0000marr/page/21 21]}} Police also confirmed that Milat had not been working on any of the days of the attacks{{cite web|url=http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/milat/discovery_1.html |title=Ivan Milat: The Last Ride|last=Bellamy |first=Patrick|work=TruTV|publisher=Time Warner Inc.|pages=12–13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110091143/http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/serial_killers/predators/milat/discovery_1.html|archive-date=10 January 2014 |url-status=dead|access-date=10 January 2014}} and acquaintances also told police about Milat's obsession with weapons.{{cite books|last=Chapman|first=Simon|title=Over Our Dead Bodies: Port Arthur and Australia's Fight for Gun Control|url=http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/8938/1/Over-our-dead-bodies_Chapman.pdf|access-date=10 January 2014|year=2013|publisher=Sydney University Press|isbn=978-1-74332-031-0|page=163|archive-date=10 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110093337/http://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/bitstream/2123/8938/1/Over-our-dead-bodies_Chapman.pdf|url-status=live}} Milat's brother, Bill, who often had his identity used by his brother for work or vehicle registrations, was questioned by investigators. When the connection between the Belanglo murders and Onions' experience was made, Onions flew to Australia to help with the investigation.{{cite news|last1=Bearup|first1=Greg|title=1994: Clive Small, capturing Milat|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/weekend-australian-magazine/clive-small-capturing-milat/news-story/34ec05d650508e53e0c42a53bbb252d4?sv=620a0e5db804c708976e690eb79be409|access-date=25 January 2018|work=The Australian|date=21 September 2013|archive-date=3 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203152231/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/weekend-australian-magazine/clive-small-capturing-milat/news-story/34ec05d650508e53e0c42a53bbb252d4?sv=620a0e5db804c708976e690eb79be409|url-status=live}} On 5 May 1994, Onions positively identified Milat as the man who had picked him up and attempted to murder him.

Milat was arrested at his home on 22 May 1994 on robbery and weapon charges related to the Onions attack after 50 police officers surrounded the premises, including heavily armed officers from the Tactical Operations Unit. The search of Milat's home revealed various weapons, including a .22-calibre Anschütz Model 1441/42 rifle and parts of a .22 calibre Ruger 10/22 rifle that matched the type used in the murders, a Browning pistol, and a Bowie knife.{{Cite web|url=https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-4/|title=Case 109: Belanglo (Part 4)|date=2019-04-13|website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-10|archive-date=12 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012110612/https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-4/|url-status=live}} Also uncovered was foreign currency, clothing, a tent, sleeping bags, camping equipment and cameras belonging to several of his victims.{{cite web|title=Ivan Milat |url=http://www.citv.com.au/crime-profiles/44/ivan-milat/3/the-crime |work=Crime & Investigation Network |publisher=Foxtel |access-date=10 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140110092804/http://www.citv.com.au/crime-profiles/44/ivan-milat/3/the-crime |archive-date=10 January 2014}} Homes belonging to his mother and five of his brothers were also searched at the same time by over 300 police,{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nVJD6V0XAtwC&pg=PT344|title=Australia's Serial Killers|last=Kidd|first=Paul B.|date=1 August 2011|publisher=Pan Macmillan Australia|isbn=978-1-74262-798-4|page=344|access-date=13 January 2014}} uncovering a total of 24 weapons, 250 kg of ammunition, and several more items belonging to the victims.

Milat appeared in court on 23 May, but he did not enter a plea. On 31 May, Milat was also charged with the seven backpacker murders. On 28 June, Milat sacked his defence lawyer, Marsden, and sought legal aid to pay for his defence. Meanwhile, brothers Richard and Walter were tried in relation to weapons, drugs and stolen items found on their properties. A committal hearing for Milat regarding the murders began on 24 October and lasted until 12 December, during which over 200 witnesses appeared. Based on the evidence, at the beginning of February 1995, Milat was remanded in custody until June that same year.

On 26 March 1996, the trial opened at the NSW Supreme Court and was prosecuted by Mark Tedeschi.{{cite web|title=The Trial|url=http://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/ivan-milat/trial.html|work=Crime & Investigation Network|publisher=AETN UK|access-date=13 January 2014|archive-date=14 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114010635/http://www.crimeandinvestigation.co.uk/crime-files/ivan-milat/trial.html|url-status=live}} His defence argued that, in spite of the evidence, there was no non-circumstantial proof Milat was guilty and attempted to shift the blame to other members of his family, particularly Richard. 145 witnesses took the stand, including members of the Milat family who endeavoured to provide alibis, and, on 18 June, Milat himself.{{Cite podcast|url=https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-5/|title=Case 109: Belanglo (Part 5)|date=2019-04-20|website=Casefile: True Crime Podcast|language=en-US|access-date=2019-06-10|archive-date=28 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191028052619/https://casefilepodcast.com/case-109-belanglo-part-5/|url-status=live}} On 27 July 1996, after 18 weeks of testimony, a jury found Milat guilty of the murders.{{cite news|last=Walker|first=Frank|title=Milat's brother claims police still treating him as murder suspect|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/22/1085176039666.html?from=storylhs|access-date=11 January 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=23 May 2004|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924141157/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/05/22/1085176039666.html?from=storylhs|url-status=live}} He was given a life sentence on each count without the possibility of parole. He was also convicted of the attempted murder, false imprisonment and robbery of Onions, for which he received six years' jail each.

Other developments

Police maintain that Milat could have been involved in more attacks or murders than the seven for which he was convicted. Based on MO similarities, examples include Keren Rowland (20, disappeared 26 February 1971, found in the Fairbairn Pine Plantation in May 1971), Peter Letcher (18, missing November 1987, found in the Jenolan State Forest in 1988), and Dianne Pennacchio (29, disappeared 6 September 1991, found in the Tallaganda State Forest in November 1991).{{Cite web|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/police-hope-serial-killer-ivan-milat-will-finally-reveal-his-other-crimes/news-story/d3c9a80c14716799c46a4973f7c87584|title=Time for Milat to confess|website=www.theaustralian.com.au|access-date=2019-06-10|archive-date=31 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220531182618/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/police-hope-serial-killer-ivan-milat-will-finally-reveal-his-other-crimes/news-story/d3c9a80c14716799c46a4973f7c87584|url-status=live}} Further, given the possibility of an accomplice,{{Cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/milat-case-stalked-by-uncertainty-20050721-gdlq2g.html|title=Milat case stalked by uncertainty|date=2005-07-21|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=2019-06-10|archive-date=5 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405000736/https://www.smh.com.au/national/milat-case-stalked-by-uncertainty-20050721-gdlq2g.html|url-status=live}} the murder cases were kept open. On 18 July 2005, Milat's former lawyer, Marsden, made a deathbed statement in which he claimed that Milat had been assisted by his sister, Shirley Soire (1946–2003), in the killings of the two British backpackers.{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=Les|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/stalked-by-uncertainty/2005/07/20/1121539033488.html|title=Milat case stalked by uncertainty|date=21 July 2005|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=25 January 2018|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924202443/http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/stalked-by-uncertainty/2005/07/20/1121539033488.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Milat did not act alone, solicitor says|url=http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1417948.htm|access-date=2 June 2015|work=The 7.30 Report|date=19 July 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620183131/http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2005/s1417948.htm|archive-date=20 June 2015|url-status=dead}}

In 2001, Milat was ordered to give evidence at an inquest into the disappearances in the Newcastle area of three other female backpackers (Leanne Goodall, 20, disappeared 30 December 1978; Robyn Hickie, 18, disappeared 7 April 1979; Amanda Robinson, 14, disappeared 21 April 1979).{{cite news|title=Milat linked to 1970s missing persons case|url=http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s311748.htm|access-date=2 June 2015|work=PM|date=12 June 2001|archive-date=17 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140917080101/http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s311748.htm|url-status=live}} A related cold case is that of Gordana Kotevski (16) who disappeared in 1994.{{Cite web|url=https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/crime/police-reopen-cold-cases-for-three-missing-teens-previously-linked-with-dying-serial-killer-ivan-milat/news-story/a40fae344082d7f5091730ce7357138a|title=Cold cases linked to Ivan Milat reopened by new task force|date=2019-06-05|website=NewsComAu|access-date=2019-06-10}} Although Milat was working in the area at the time of the crimes, no case has been brought against him due to a lack of evidence.{{cite news|last1=Connolly|first1=Ellen|title=No peaceful rest|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/07/04/1025667036984.html|access-date=2 June 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=5 July 2002|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604094658/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/07/04/1025667036984.html|url-status=live}} Similar inquiries were launched in 2003, in relation to the disappearance of two nurses and again in 2005, relating to the disappearance of hitchhiker Annette Briffa, but no charges were laid.{{cite news|last1=Kennedy|first1=Les|title=Milat link to nurses missing since 1980|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/07/1070732073039.html|access-date=2 June 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=8 December 2003|archive-date=4 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160604102526/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/12/07/1070732073039.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Milat a suspect in teen's cold-case 'murder'|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Milats-name-raised-in-backpacker-coldcase/2005/01/27/1106415708693.html|access-date=2 June 2015|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=AAP|date=27 January 2005|archive-date=10 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160810074620/http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Milats-name-raised-in-backpacker-coldcase/2005/01/27/1106415708693.html|url-status=live}} In 2010, in a media interview, Onions described how he accepted, but did not use, a $200,000 reward granted for his part in the conviction of Milat.{{Cite web|url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/archive/news/serial-killer-catcher-rejects-huge-reward/news-story/58ad00713a2a960a95f245c2bdf9fb8b| title=Serial killer hero rejects huge reward |date=2010-01-30| website=www.heraldsun.com.au|language=en|access-date=2019-06-10}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishtimes.com/news/briton-to-donate-reward-for-identifying-serial-killer-1.98625|title=Briton to donate reward for identifying serial killer|website=The Irish Times|language=en|access-date=2019-06-10|archive-date=27 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027002342/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/briton-to-donate-reward-for-identifying-serial-killer-1.98625|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/man-who-escaped-backpacker-killer-1933593|title=Man who escaped backpacker killer talks for the first time|last=Bevan|first=Nathan|date=2010-02-07|website=walesonline|access-date=2019-06-10|archive-date=27 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191027002309/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/man-who-escaped-backpacker-killer-1933593|url-status=live}}

Media

The case has been extensively covered in the media in Australia and gained notoriety around the world.{{Cite web|date=2020-08-06|title=Common Law Summary - Common Law Essays|url=https://lawaspect.com/common-law-4/|access-date=2021-07-02|website=LawAspect.com|language=en-US|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182511/https://lawaspect.com/common-law-4/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Reddie|first=crime reporter Mark|date=2019-10-27|title=Ivan Milat is dead. How many more murders remain unsolved?|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-27/ivan-milat-dies-and-takes-secrets-of-more-murders-to-grave/11161514|access-date=2021-07-02|website=ABC News|language=en-AU}}{{Cite web|last=Southcombe|first=ABC News: Taryn|date=2019-10-27|title=Ivan Milat newspaper headlines|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-27/ivan-milat-newspaper-headlines-1/11304436|access-date=2021-07-02|website=ABC News|language=en-AU|archive-date=7 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007075443/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-27/ivan-milat-newspaper-headlines-1/11304436|url-status=live}} On 8 November 2004, Milat gave a televised interview on Australian Story, in which he denied that any of his family had been implicated in the seven murders.{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-11-08/milat-says-brothers-innocent/581290|title=Milat says brothers innocent|last1=Stewart|first1=John|date=8 November 2004|work=ABC News|access-date=2 June 2015|archive-date=20 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150620182808/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2004-11-08/milat-says-brothers-innocent/581290|url-status=live}} In March 2017, the case was covered by Australian crime podcasts Felon True Crime,{{Cite web|url=https://podtail.com/en/podcast/felon-true-crime-podcast/felon-s2e3-the-backpacker-murders/|title=Felon - S2E3 - The Backpacker Murders – Felon True Crime – Podcast|last=Crime|first=Felon True|website=Podtail|language=en|access-date=2020-03-24}} and in March 2019, Casefile True Crime Podcast began airing a five-part series on the Belanglo crimes. On the day Milat died in 2019, The Daily Telegraph released a 4-part podcast called Monster Trial which re-enacted the 1996 trial of Milat.{{Cite web|title=Monster Trial: Ivan Milat on Apple Podcasts|url=https://podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/monster-trial-ivan-milat/id1483407955?l=en|access-date=2021-07-02|website=Apple Podcasts|language=en-US|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709183314/https://podcasts.apple.com/jp/podcast/monster-trial-ivan-milat/id1483407955?l=en|url-status=live}}

In popular culture

The 2005 Australian film Wolf Creek is based on the backpacker murders of two British women.{{cite news|last1=Johnston|first1=Chris|title=Beware a wolf in crocodile clothing|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=wolf+creek+and+ivan+milat&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=150&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=AGE0511191A5KM3F1VP6|access-date=9 January 2017|work=The Age|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109114602/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=wolf+creek+and+ivan+milat&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=150&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=AGE0511191A5KM3F1VP6|archive-date=9 January 2017|date=19 November 2005}}{{cite news|last1=Joyce|first1=James|title=No crime in using facts|url=http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=wolf+creek+and+ivan+milat&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=150&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=NCH051029F27E05RF0S9|access-date=9 January 2017|work=The Newcastle Herald|date=29 October 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170109114605/http://newsstore.fairfax.com.au/apps/viewDocument.ac?page=1&sy=smh&kw=wolf+creek+and+ivan+milat&pb=all_ffx&dt=selectRange&dr=entire&so=relevance&sf=text&sf=headline&rc=150&rm=200&sp=nrm&clsPage=1&docID=NCH051029F27E05RF0S9 |archive-date=9 January 2017|url-status=dead}}

References

External links

{{cite news|last1=Mitchell|first1=Alex|title=Milat issues challenge to police boss|url=https://www.theage.com.au/national/milat-issues-challenge-to-police-boss-20040125-gdx6fg.html|access-date=25 January 2018|work=The Age|date=25 January 2004}}
{{cite web|title=Into the Forest – Part 2|url=https://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2004/s1236866.htm|website=Australian Story|access-date=25 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080114083656/http://www.abc.net.au/austory/content/2004/s1236866.htm|archive-date=14 January 2008|date=8 November 2004}}
{{cite news|title=Milat accomplice claim rejected| url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/milat-accomplice-claim-rejected-20050717-gdlp65.html|access-date=25 January 2018 |work=The Sydney Morning Herald|agency=AAP|date=16 July 2005}}
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8E24Eo2Y5as 'I survived a serial killer' – Paul Onions on Ivan Milat] 60 Minutes Australia (1996) – YouTube
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7syEnBEMp4 The Backpacker Murders: Ivan Milat] | Crime Investigation Australia (2005) – YouTube
[https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/did-serial-killer-ivan-milat-brutally-murder-these-other-victims/news-story/8f071561f481135db151715b168edaeb Did serial killer Ivan Milat brutally murder these other victims?] News.com.au (2017)
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbT7kJs7tAo Terminally ill serial killer Ivan Milat sent back to prison] Nine News Australia (2019) – YouTube