SIX rewards of $1 million will be paid for information leading to convictions in the murders of six women whose bodies were found in Frankston and Tynong North in 1980-81.
The rewards are part of the police’s Operation Lyndhurst and are the largest ever offered in Victoria. They relate to the disappearance and murder of six women (above) – two from Frankston and four from other suburbs – between May 1980 and October 1981.
On 30 May 1980, Allison Rooke, 59, was seen leaving her home in Hannah St, Frankston North, 11am, intending to catch a bus to the shops. Her body was discovered by a man walking his dogs in scrubland near McClelland Drive, Frankston, 5 July, 1980.
On 9 October 1981, Joy Carmel Summers, 55, was seen at a bus stop at Chile St and Frankston-Dandenong Rd, Frankston, 1pm, intending to catch a bus to the Frankston shops. Her body was found in scrubland near Skye Rd, Frankston North, 22 November 1981.
The four other women – from Glen Iris, Berwick, Cranbourne, and Brunswick – were aged 14-73.
Three of the women’s bodies were found on 6 December 1980 in scrub near a quarry off Brew Rd, Tynong North, and a fourth in bushland just off the Princes Freeway, Tynong North, on 3 February, 1983.
The women were on foot when they disappeared and intending to use public transport. Their bodies were all left in scrubland, with the offender concealing their locations and identities by removing personal belongings.
Police have spoken to more than 2000 people over the murders and identified a number of persons of interest. A new taskforce was established to review the cases in 1998 but no one has ever been charged.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report to crimestoppersvic.com.au online.
