Queensland’s Most Brutal Unsolved Murders Linked by Startling New Evidence

In a small Queensland town in 1898, the Murphy siblings – Michael, Norah, and Ellen – set out for a dance but never made it home. They were brutally murdered in a secluded paddock on their way back, sparking one of the state’s most infamous unsolved murder cases. The investigation into their deaths was marred by police errors and missteps, allowing the perpetrator to evade capture.

More than a century later, historian Caroline Stevenson believes she has uncovered a shocking connection between the Murphy siblings’ murders and another unsolved case in Brisbane. The murder of a teenage boy, Alfred Hill, in Oxley bore striking similarities to the Gatton killings. Both cases involved brutal violence, similar ammunition, and peculiar arrangements of the victims’ bodies.

The investigations into these murders proceeded independently, with detectives pursuing various leads and suspects. Thomas Day, a local butcher, and Richard Burgess, a recently released ex-convict, were among those considered but ultimately not charged. The failure to apprehend the culprits led to public outrage and a royal commission scrutinizing the police’s handling of the Gatton case.

The discovery of new evidence linking the Gatton and Oxley murders has reignited interest in these cold cases. While no one has ever been brought to justice for these heinous crimes, researchers like Stevenson and publisher Jack Sim are committed to shedding light on the dark history of these unsolved mysteries. They advocate for the restoration of Alfred Hill’s neglected grave as a tribute to the victims and a reminder of the unresolved questions surrounding these interconnected tragedies.

Despite the passage of time and the challenges posed by incomplete investigations, the quest for answers continues. The haunting echoes of these brutal murders still reverberate through Queensland, underscoring the enduring impact of these unresolved mysteries on the communities affected.