The crime which is still remembered ...

Watched by locals, parents and children, Seven News Brisbane Journalist Peter Doherty today interviewed author Ken Blanch about his recollections of The Wilston Murder at the place where the tragedy happened.

Several people were eager to share their own versions of what happened in the quiet suburb six decades ago, telling Ken and Jack Sim who was also interviewed, who they thought responsible. It seems everyone has their own belief as to who committed the unthinkable in such an unlikely location.

Sixty years ago, Ken, then a journalist at The Brisbane Telegraph newspaper, attended the now infamous crime scene soon after the discovery of the body.

During his interview Ken explained how the cowardly attack on a beautiful young person changed Brisbane forever.

Peter Doherty presents his popular weekly “Flashback” segment during Seven News every Sunday evening - raising awarness of Queensland's fascinating past. The segment filmed today will air this coming Sunday, 16 September 2012.

Watch “Flashback” Sunday, 16 September 2012 to mark the 60th anniversary of the crime that changed Brisbane...

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 2pm by Ken Blanch

Click here to purchase Ken's book WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS? Is the Wilston Monster Still Alive?- $27.95 RRP

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

Angus & Robertson - Brookside - Brookside Shopping Centre

Dymocks - Chermside - Chermiside Shopping Centre

Thomas & Daisy Boutique - Shoes, Fashion, Gifts & Coffee - 1 Daisy Street, GRANGE 3856 2226

Readers living in Brisbane's northern suburbs will find a story on The Wilston Murder in their local Quest newspapers tomorrow (12/9) written by journalist Taryn Davis. 

Taryn, Editor, City North News, recently interviewed Ken Blanch about the crime which impacted so terribly on what was then a typical working class community, and about a lifetime of reporting on the dark side of Brisbane. 

Miss Davis, whose family still live in the area, was well-aware of the case. Like most who grew up at Wilston, she learned early on about the murder of Miss Shanks.

Taryn had the privilege of also meeting and interviewing local chemist shop owner, Mr Huxham, who was believed by many to be the murderer of Betty Shanks. Mr Huxman, now deceased, lived to be over 100 years of age, was thought to be responsible by local gossips. He could not have been involved as he was speaking to a customer, another local, outside his shop as the tram carrying Betty arrived at the Terminus. Police never regarded him as a suspect but that still did not stop housewives and those who should have known better from spreading the lie that he was involved in what has become Brisbane's most enduring homicide.

Huxham was not alone in attracting scurrilous comments. Local police officer Alex Stewart who found the body of Betty Shanks was virtually run out of the police force for failing to investigate the screams he heard the night before. Even now, in 2012, the most likely person for Jack Sim and Ken Blanch to be told was responsible for the murder is Constable Stewart.

One local in particular, whose comments to the inquest in 1953 should have aroused suspicion, seemingly went unnoticed by gossips and investigators alike. In his REVISED EDITION of  WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS? Is the Wilston Monster Still Alive?, Ken Blanch examines this person of interest...

Please tune in to Brisbane talkback radio station 4BC on Wednesday 19 September 2012 at 2pm for the official launch of Jack Sim's latest book release - the newly revised edition of WHO KILLED BETTY SHANKS? Is the Wilston Monster Still Alive? by Ken Blanch.

Join Chris Adams (filling in for Loretta) and Moyd Kay on Afternoons - on 4BC. Long term followers of Jack Sim and Ken Blanch will know that the two of them, along with Paul Tully, were founders of Crime@Nine (originally Classic Crime) ten years ago.

Tune in digitally to Brisbane's highest rating radio station by visiting www.4bc.com.au - 1116AM.

Was Betty's Killer a Local?

There are many reasons to believe that the person (or maybe persons), who attacked Miss Shanks was a local, someone living close to the corner now made infamous. Ken Blanch raises such a horrifying prospect in his newly revised book:

There was another curious aspect to the murder. Although a large number of households kept dogs in those days, and there was no restriction on them wandering at large, not one witness heard a dog barking. It seems incredible that a stranger skulking in the shadows and launching a maniacal attack upon the victim would not have excited at least one or two dogs into voice. Does the absence of any such canine reaction indicate that the attacker was well-known to the local dog population, which therefore ignored his presence and activities?

Detectives interviewed hundreds of people in attempt to ascertain the movements of every man, woman and child in the Wilston/Grange area on the night of the murder. In the CRIME SCENE photograph above, Detective Sub-Inspector Tom Martin (left) leads a group of detectives as they talk with young Marie Patton at the crime scene. Detective Senior Sergeant Jack Mahony has his back to the camera, Detective Sergeant Norm Bauer faces it. Reporter Ken Blanch stands partly obscured beside Miss Patton. The grounds of the Wilston State School are behind them. Picture taken on Sunday, 21 September 1952.

Join Ken & Jack Sim on a special CRIME TOUR in October based on The Wilston Murder.

This is no morbid outing - this tour is only for those with a geniune interest in this case. Join Jack's VIP Mailing list on the home page of this website. Seats are limited. How to book will be announced later this month.

It was a ride that ended in death...

In 1952, the year of the crime, most Brisbanites did not own their own cars, instead travelling to and from the city on these beloved vehicles.

On the night of the murder, passengers on board Tram 434, on route to the Grange Terminus, recalled seeing a young woman board at a tram stop at Windsor. This stop, now used by passengers waiting for Brisbane City Council buses, still exists in its original state, sixty years later.

A example of the type of tram taken by the victim survives at the Brisbane Tramways Museum at Samford. The Museum preserves, displays and conducts tours to tell the story of the River City's once extensive tram network. 

Take the Tram as part of The Wilston Murder Crime Tour...

Join Jack Sim and Ken Blanch in October 2012 as they host a special crime tour based on this perplexing cold case. Visit 5 historic sites associated with  this dreadful crime. Details to be announced soon

Join Jack's VIP Mailing List on the home page of this website for details. Seats are limited. Stay tuned.