Murder in the Shadow of the Bauhinias

The crime scene as it appeared sixty years ago...

It is hard to imagine a less dramatic location for an attack on a decent, hard-working young woman. 

The two blossomless bauhinia bushes, which figured in the dreadful attack, were originally planted by the Brisbane City Council as part of a beautification scheme.

The shrubs survived for many years on the footpath and were still there in 1972 for the 20th anniversary; by then they had become old and twisted trees.

Every year, across Brisbane, when the Bauhinias erupted into gorgeous flowers, residents remembered the crime. 

Ken Blanch will be being interviewed at the crime scene Wednesday, 12/9/2012 at 11.00am by Peter Dougherty from Seven's "Flashback". 

Watch "Flashback" during Seven News on Sunday, 16/9/2012 to see the interview with Ken Blanch and learn more about why this story must continue to be told.

If you would like to meet award-winning journalist Ken Blanch come to one of his instore signings or please support our research into Brisbane's criminal history and purchase a copy of WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS? Is The Wilston Monster Still Alive? - either on this website or at Angus & Robertson, and Dymocks Bookstores.

She was one of us...

Long ago a lovely person was lost to us. One of us. A Brisbane girl whose name has sadly become associated with a terrible crime, but she was not a victim.

Had she lived, she would soon turn 83 years old, surrounded by her grandchildren and great-grand children.

Betty was unusual for her time. She loved to study and may well have risen to become a lawyer or even eventually gone into politics.

Central to the lives of many, not least of all her mum and dad, and younger brother Alan, Betty’s wage sustained the household. She was needed, respected and loved.

Brisbane in 1952 was different to today – traffic was minimal, there were far fewer cars, the city was more laid back, quieter, reflecting its status as the biggest country town of a state of such towns. People had time to think and read. There was no rush. Computers, mobile phones, portable music and devices did not exist. People thought about each other, they talked face-to-face. Rock 'n' Roll was yet to happen. The Second World War was over but biggest concern was the threat of communism - the 1950s equivalent of terrorism - even so most Brisbanites simply went about their business.

However, one Friday evening, in a quiet Brisbane suburb, this all changed forever.

The murder of Betty Shanks was the crime which turned Brisbane into a big city, where violent crime was "normal".

One of the three oldest cold cases under investigation in Australia, and Brisbane’s greatest unsolved murder-mystery, the brutal killing of Betty in 1952 has baffled generations of detectives and locals alike.

Ken Blanch is appearing at several bookstores over the next few weeks to sign his book:

Dymocks Carindale                            Thursday 20/09/2012     4pm - 9pm     

Angus & Robertson - Brookside      Saturday 22/09/2012     10am-12.30pm

Dymocks Chermside                         Saturday 22/09/2012      1.00pm - 4pm 
   
Angus & Robertson - Ipswich           Saturday 29/9/2012       11.00am - 2.30pm      

A Lot of Books - Ipswich                    Thursday 4/10/2012      11.00am - 1.00pm      

A FORENSIC PUZZLE

Every Murder Trails publication sources rare photographs and images - many of which have never before been seen by the public.

Identifying the people in these images is a painstaking process - few details usually accompany old photographs; frustratingly most of those captured on film remain anonymous witnesses to the past. 

However recently while reviewing the captions in WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS?, author Ken Blanch recently identified Detective Mervin Chalmers among a group of investigators present at the crime scene of Betty Shanks.

Detective Chalmers stood out in the photo due to his height and build. Nicknamed "Lother" after Mandrake the Magicians muscular African companion, the well-known detective in his day can be seen examining blood stains on a wooden fence.  The full photographic image has been included in WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS? REVISED EDITION by author Ken Blanch.  

WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS? has over 50 photographs sourced by Ken Blanch and Jack Sim from a variety of archives, libraries and private collections. 

 This book is available online and at Dymocks and Angus & Robertson Bookstores.

Meet the Author: Ken Blanch will appear instore to sign copies of his revised book at Angus & Robertson Brookside on Saturday 22/9/2012 between 10am – 2pm

Sixty years is a long time.

Writer Ken Blanch was a reporter with the Brisbane Telegraph when he attended the infamous crime scene in September 1952.

In 2006, Ken wrote  WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS?: Brisbane’s Greatest Murder-Mystery - the fourth crime casebook in the Murder Trails Series.

Now for the sixtieth anniversary of the crime,  Jack Sim presents the 2012 REVISED EDITION of WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS?

This time Ken answers the most disturbing question: Is The Wilston Monster Still Alive?

Ken re-examines the circumstances of one of Australia’s most baffling crimes and sheds new light on an old case which has frustrated generations of detectives.

Meet the Author: Ken Blanch will appear instore to sign copies of his revised book at Dymocks Carindale, Thursday 20/09/2012 between 4pm - 9.00 pm

WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS? Is The Wilston Monster Still Alive?

Veteran crime reporter Ken Blanch has spent six decades attempting to solve this perplexing crime. Now, as the sixtieth anniversary approaches, Jack Sim has re-released Ken's acclaimed book WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS?

Is the Wilston Murderer Still Alive? In this REVISED EDITION Ken Blanch raises the horrifying possibility the killer could still be living amongst us - and reveals the persons of interest.

During the month of September, Jack Sim Publications will re-examine the crime in a series of blogs, through extensive media coverage, events and book signings.

WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS? Is the Wilston Monster Still Alive? will be officially released on Wednesday, 19 September 2012 and launched live on Brisbane’s 4BC radio at 1pm by Ken Blanch

Books are available online through www.jacksim.com.au and also all Angus & Robertson and Dymocks bookstores - under "True Crime". 

Ken Blanch will be appearing instore to sign copies from Wednesday, 19 September – details of dates will be published here.

Betty's murder sixty years ago is not history - she was a real person. We hope that through the re-release of this book there may yet be an arrest. Stay tuned!

Click here to purchase this book through Jack Sim Publications - $27.95 RRP

Live on the Northside of Brisbane? Support your local retailer and buy it from these recommended book sellers:

Angus & Robertson - Brookside

Dymocks - Chermside