The Courier Mail 22 September 1952

POLICE MAKE MURDER APPEAL

Vital facts wanted, Women warned of maniac danger, urged: Be escorted

DRAMATIC six-point appeal for public help in solving the Wilston murder of Betty Shanks, 23, was made by the police last night. After two days of intense police search for the killer, believed to be a sex maniac, CIB chief (Inspector J. E. Donovan) said police sought information on six vital points. "Any one of these could give us the lead we are waiting for,' he said. They are:

  • Passengers on the tram which reached the Grange terminus at 9.32 on Friday night, particularly those who remember seeing Betty Shanks, who wore a red coat. Any taxi drivers who pulled on to the Grange rank or picked up any fares in that area after 9.30 that night.
  • Witnesses who saw any movement of people in the murder area before or after the estimated murder time of about 9.45 pm. People who may have seen two men reported to have been in Thomas Street, near the murder spot, walking from WilstonSchool playing area seconds before Miss Shanks was accosted.
  • Anyone with Information on a man seen at the Grange terminus about 9.30 pm. Police say this man was offered a lift but declined, saying: 'I've waited for two trams, and I'll wait for another.'
  • A man noticed behaving strangely in Montpelier Street, where the Shanks family lives, about 8 pm on the murder night. Police were told this man was making peculiar noises as if imitating animals, and was last seen near Daisy Street, not far from Thomas Street.

The hunt is concentrating on the only lead so far— the moon-faced man a taxi driver reported seeing jump the fence at the murder spot, at about 10.30 on Friday night. The taxi driver, whose name is being withheld by police, also reported seeing the same man three hours later on the railway over-head bridge in Lamont Street, Newmarket, three quarters of a mile from the murder spot. But he is not thought to be the man who was heard making animal noises. The man's description is: Over 20 years, 5ft 8in to 5ft 10in tall. medium build, large head, moon face, short cut hair sticking up in front.

Blood clue

One thing police are sure of, the killer's clothes would be saturated with blood. His shoes would also be bloodstained, for police think the dead girl was kicked about the head.

Betty had an affair

Police yesterday checked a report, from a former friend of the dead girl, that Miss Shanks had been 'madly in love' with a 29 year-old married man. Police have checked on the man and are satisfied that he has not seen her for at least six months.