A HUNTER murder mystery may be reaching its end as investigators chase a breakthrough that could find a grandmother’s killer after more than 18 years.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Forensic analysis techniques unavailable when Singleton matriach Margaret ‘‘Peggy’’ Howlett was killed will be a major part of a new Northern Region Unresolved Homicide Team push to crack the case.
Police have re-examined items from Mrs Howlett’s home, allowing them to create an ‘‘as-yet unidentified’’ DNA profile of the person who left the 84-year-old for dead.
Mrs Howlett’s daughter-in-law and former Singleton councillor Alison Howlett said the family remained grateful to police for perservering with the long-unsolved crime.
She said they were hopeful the revived inquiry could end their search for the person who robbed their beloved mother and grandmother of her remaining years.
‘‘It was a horrific crime and she should have justice,’’ Ms Howlett said.
‘‘We’ve never ever given up . . . it’s absolutely pivotal [that we find out what happened].
‘‘Hopefully this is the last chapter.’’
Margaret ‘‘Peggy’’ Howlett’s body was found in her Dunolly Road home in April 1994 after miners spotted smoke coming from the building.
Autopsy results revealed she was killed by blunt force trauma while an inquest into her death returned an open finding in 1996.
Unsolved Homicide Team Detective Sergeant Stephen Davis said police would be revisiting former leads as part of their inquiries.
“We will be contacting a number of key witnesses identified in the original investigation and reviewing their original statementsand we hope that one of these witnesses may hold vital evidence,’’ Detective Sergeant Davis said.
“We are also hopeful that the unidentified DNA profile will assist us in the identification of an offender and bring resolution to this matter, giving closure to the family.”
Detective Sergeant Davis said the crime’s impact on Singleton remained palpable.
‘The callous manner and cause of death of such a frail and elderly victim raised serious concerns in this large rural community and is still spoken of today,’’ he said.
“Mrs Howlett’s attacker attempted to destroy evidence of the crime by setting a fire within the house. ‘‘This may also indicate an interest in lighting fires or the use of fire in other offending behaviour.’’
A $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of those responsible for Mrs Howlett’s death remains in place.
Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, with all calls treated confidentially.
Timeline
April 2, 1994: Mrs Howlett’s body is discovered in her home by firefighters after smoke is seen coming from the Dunolly Road house on their way to work.
April 6, 1994: Autopsy reveals Mrs Howlett died from severe head injuries after she was beaten with a blunt instrument. Police say heat from the fire had damaged any clues available to investigators. Relatives report nothing was stolen.
August 1995: A coronial inquest into Mrs Howlett’s death returns an open finding. Officer assisting the coronial inquiry Sergeant Terry Gannon told the coroner that in 20 years of police work he had never seen such ‘‘muddy waters’’.
May 1996: $100,000 reward offered for information leading to Mrs Howlett’s killers.
May 2007: A new lead in the case is unable to be followed up due to a lack of resources in the Hunter Valley command, the Newcastle Herald reports.
December 2010: The Northern Region Unsolved Homicide Squad, which is looking into Mrs Howlett’s death, is left with thinned ranks after its last remaining investigator moves to Sydney.
November 2011: Northern Region Unsolved Homicide Squad police advises family members it is reopening the case.
