Wollongong news presenter Ross Warren’s suspicious death almost 30 years ago is one of 500 cold cases to be reinvestigated in the biggest shake-up of unsolved homicides in NSW.
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The Unsolved Homicide Unit has introduced new strategies to increase their capability to revisit and reinvestigate.
Mr Warren, 24, was last seen driving along Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, on 22 July 1989 after socialising with friends. His keys were found two days later on rocks below the cliff top at Marks Park, Tamarama, and his car was located nearby.
His body was never found but police believe he was likely the victim of gay hate-related crime.
Also among the first 20 cases to be reopened is the investigation into the death of 23-year-old Rachelle Childs, whose partially-burned body was located in a shallow ditch near Gerroa On June 8, 2001.
The fresh probes come after the Homicide Squad reviewed the way it approaches and prioritises unsolved cases.
State Crime Commander, Assistant Commissioner Mal Lanyon said the squad had since consolidated all matters and reclassified their investigations dating back to 1972 into four categories: unsolved, unresolved, undetermined and resolved.
The matters in the first three categories are being assessed under a new framework, which then provides clear guidelines for prioritising to undergo the new review process, Mr Lanyon said.
That allows for a bi-annual follow-up and indefinite monitoring for developments in the case, new lines of inquiry, and partial and full re-investigations.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Scott Cook, said the new process will draw on the expertise of specialist detectives from across the Force to conduct formal case reviews.
“While the Unsolved Homicide Unit is a finite resource, the Force has a wealth of investigators whose skills can be harnessed to increase our capacity to put fresh eyes on cold cases,” Det Supt Cook said.
“All matters, including new matters as referred by the Coroner, are classified into the respective category for prioritisation on a database, before being referred to a reviewing officer.
“The formal reviews will be conducted by – or under ongoing liaison with – the Homicide Squad.”
“The rolling reviews will allow us to continually strengthen relationships with victim families through regular and informed communication,” Det Supt Cook said. “We are committed to ensuring the most effective and efficient allocation of resources in order to maximise our capability to provide justice for victims and answers to their families.”
