It was 40 years ago this month, in late October 1978, Queensland police were notified of the discovery of a decomposing body, found north west of Mount Isa close to the dry bed of Spear Creek, and wearing only a loincloth. The discovery of the first body, believed to be male, and subsequent searches of the surrounds located a further two bodies, badly decomposed and with limbs scattered by scavenging animals made gender identification impossible. The apparent triple murder was quickly reported to Police Headquarters in Brisbane. Scenes of Crime Officer Senior Constable Neil Raywood, the Director of State Microbiology, pathologist Doctor John Tonge, Homicide Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Frank Swindells and Detective Senior Constable Jim O’Donnell departed for Mount Isa on the same day.
Returning to the scene at sunrise on the second day of investigations, local police Chief Inspector William McArthur, Officer in Charge of Mount Isa District, and Detective Senior Sergeant Reginald Ashmore mustered troops to conduct a line search looking for evidence. The victims had each sustained a gunshot to the head, but no bullet casings were found, and the only helpful discovery was a broken ladies chrome wristwatch marking the time of 3.20 and a silver Capricorn zodiac medallion. Examinations of the red dusty earth and though clumps of spinifex grass continued with the aid of rakes and sieves whilst carbide cannons were fired overhead to dissuade circling hawks from contaminating or stealing potential evidence. A distinctive item of clothing worn by one of the victims, a T-shirt portraying ‘Finke Desert Races, Alice Springs, June 1978’, prompted enquires west of the Queensland / Northern Territory boarder.
Newspapers nationwide reported the unfolding story each day, printed photographs of clothing found with the bodies, and provided descriptions of the victims, now known to be two males and one female, in the hope their identities would be discovered. Detective reinforcements from Townsville travelled to Mount Isa, tasked with joining the local contingent and Brisbane police to pursue all leads. Caravan park and motel managers were canvassed, petrol station attendees and shop keepers were questioned for any sightings of the victims, together or separately during the preceding months. Jewellers in Sydney and Melbourne were asked for assistance when markings on the watch identified an overhaul had been conducted in August. Autopsies performed on the bodies by Doctor Tonge whilst still in Mount Isa located one .22 bullet in each victim’s skull. Dental records were circulated in every state.
 Gordon S. Twaddle |
 Karen L. Edwards |
 Timothy J. Thompson |
Through painstaking investigation methods and forensic examination of both dental records and fingerprints, the victims were finally identified as 21-year-old Gordon Twaddle, 22-year-old Karen Edwards and 31-year-old Timothy Thompson. Two motorcycles were also identified as being in the possession of the victims; Mr Twaddle’s Victorian registered KX866 Suzuki had been located by police and held in Mount Isa pending the whereabouts of the owner, Mr Thompson’s reddish bronze BMW motorcycle was missing, it’s DJP sidecar with distinctive paintwork located, abandoned at the Moondarra Caravan Park. Ms Edwards’ young dog, an Alsatian-cross, was also missing.
The Alsatian cross owned by victim Karen Edwards.
Several cruel twists and turns in this case include the discovery of Karen Edwards’ possessions at the Mount Isa tip where it is believed her pet dog had been left, staying with the scented property until the Council located the animal and destroyed it. Three motorcycle helmets were also located at the tip site along with camping equipment owned by the trio. A .22 rifle with broken barrel was found in another dry creek bed, disposed a suitable distance from the crime scene and believed to be the murder weapon. Another discovery, a haversack, map of Lake Moondarra, motorcycle gloves and several .22 bullets. A man driving a Toyota Landcruiser is thought to have befriended the victims and was recorded as the prime suspect. Two weeks after the discovery of the bodies, Detective Sergeant Frank Swindells spoke with Pat Lloyd, reporter for The Telegraph, “…it seems he must have been what we call a ‘blow-in’. It is frustrating that a cold executioner like this has so far had all the luck. It is extraordinary that he and the vehicle have come and gone with only the caravan park sightings…”
Images of vehicles similar to those wanted in connection with the Spear Creek murders, printed in The Courier Mail, November 3, 1978.
Do you remember this tragic event in 1978? Police are still searching for the offenders of the terrible triple murder and offer a reward of $250,000 for information leading to a murder conviction: https://www.police.qld.gov.au/EventsandAlerts/rewards/t/thomson.htm
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This article was written by Museum Assistant Georgia Grier from the best resources available within the Queensland Police Museum. The Police Museum is open 9am to 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am to 3pm on the last Sunday of the month (Feb-Nov) and is located on the Ground Floor of Police Headquarters at 200 Roma Street, Brisbane. Contact: E: museum@police.qld.gov.au
“FROM the VAULT – Spear Creek Homicides” by the Queensland Police Service is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (BY) 2.5 Australia Licence. Permissions may be available beyond the scope of this licence. http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5/au/legalcode
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