New genetic testing may have led to WA police uncovering an historical serial killer.
Cold Case detectives have made a major breakthrough in the 1979 murder of Kerryn Mary Tate, nearly five decades after her body was found in dense Karragullen bushland.
The 22-year-old was last seen alive in Mount Lawley at 11am on Saturday, 29 December 1979 after spending time with friends in Cottesloe and Swanbourne the night before.
The following morning her body was located in the Canning Dam catchment area approximately 800-metres south of Brookton Highway.
An unknown male DNA profile, believed to be the offender, was recovered from the crime scene.
That profile was recently handed over to the Investigative Genetic Genealogy team and uploaded to a public genealogy database, with a number of genetic relatives subsequently identified.
A family tree of over 10,000 people was then compiled, leading Cold Case Investigations detectives to conduct further inquiries.
As a result of those inquiries, investigators have linked Terence John Fisher to the DNA profile recovered from the scene 45-years-ago.
Mr Fisher, who died in 2000, has been named as a suspect.
Detectives also believe if Mr Fisher was alive today, he may have been able to assist police with investigations into the 1986 death of Barbara Anne Western and the 1991 death of Kerry Suzanne Turner.
Investigators are now seeking the public’s help as they continue to pursue this line of inquiry.
Kerryn Tate’s relative Annemarie Tate said although it was disappointing to be told Kerryn’s potential murderer is dead, the breakthrough in the case also came as a relief.
“It means a great deal,” she said. “It gives us more faith in the investigators and everyone who has been involved over the last 40 years.
“And it gives us peace of mind… he’s not going to hurt anybody else.”
“I wouldn’t use the word closure, but it’s been quite good.”
Acting Assistant Commissioner Paul Coombes said the breakthrough sends a very clear message: “the Western Australia Police Force never gives up”.
“In the 45-years since the tragic death of Kerryn Tate, we have never stopped trying to find the person responsible for her murder, countless investigators have worked tirelessly on this case,” Acting Assistant Commissioner Coombes said.
“Unfortunately, we may never know the motivations for this horrific crime but with the public’s help we may be able to finally bring some comfort to the Tate family.
“The use of Investigative Genetic Genealogy is allowing us to solve more cold cases than ever. It’s a resource intensive process, but it’s one the Major Crime team is committed to.
“It’s still a relatively new investigative technique but with time and as new technology becomes available, these methods will only further compliment traditional detective work.”
Lead investigator, Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Dion Selby believes information from the public could be the final key to solving one of WA’s most notorious cold cases.
“We are trying to build a picture of Mr Fisher’s regular movements, of his routine. For example, we know he regularly attended a sailing club in Fremantle,” Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Selby said.
“We know he had served in the army and was a carpenter by trade. We know he lived in Rivervale and Manning areas at the time of Ms Tate’s murder. There is much we know about him but we want to know more.
“I strongly urge anyone who knew him while he was alive to reach out to police via Crime Stoppers and share that information – big or small, it could be paramount to the investigation.”
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online via www.crimestopperswa.com.au
Cold Case Investigations detectives will be at a mobile police facility at 1287 Brookton Highway, Karragullen, between 8.30am and 5.00pm tomorrow, 14 March.
Anyone with information regarding Terence John Fisher is urged to come forward.
Annemarie Tate urged anyone who’s had even a slight suspicion about Terence Fisher to please come forward to police.
“If he’s done this to anyone else, these poor families need to know. So please come forward,” she said.
