https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/cryptic-clue-in-sisters-bid-to-find-killer-in-1981-cold-case/news-story/34844e147d78bcfc5605ae2a20406cfa
Deborah Smykalla, centre, with older sister Elke, left, and younger sister Diana shortly before Deborah was killed.
Deborah Smykalla began Father’s Day 1981 with a visit to the home of her parents, dropping off a gift of chocolates and flowers.
She ended the day dead at her share house at Capalaba on Brisbane’s bayside, strangled with a dog leash and found lying with her head in an oven in a brutal murder staged to look like a suicide. Almost 38 years later, with the crime still unsolved, Deborah’s sister Elke Hall is generating new leads with a Facebook group, Who Murdered Deborah Smykalla — Father’s Day Sept 1981 in Brisbane?
``Whoever killed Deborah tried to blow up the house, turning on the gas oven and lighting two fires on the floor. A safety feature in the modern oven cut the gas off and foiled the plan.
A housemate returned home at about 9.35pm to find her body, the dog lead still around her neck.``
``Coroner WJ Randall concluded that she was murdered by a person or persons unknown.``
Deborah Smykalla, centre, with older sister Elke, left, and younger sister Diana shortly before Deborah was killed.
Deborah Smykalla began Father’s Day 1981 with a visit to the home of her parents, dropping off a gift of chocolates and flowers.
She ended the day dead at her share house at Capalaba on Brisbane’s bayside, strangled with a dog leash and found lying with her head in an oven in a brutal murder staged to look like a suicide. Almost 38 years later, with the crime still unsolved, Deborah’s sister Elke Hall is generating new leads with a Facebook group, Who Murdered Deborah Smykalla — Father’s Day Sept 1981 in Brisbane?
``Whoever killed Deborah tried to blow up the house, turning on the gas oven and lighting two fires on the floor. A safety feature in the modern oven cut the gas off and foiled the plan.
A housemate returned home at about 9.35pm to find her body, the dog lead still around her neck.``
``Coroner WJ Randall concluded that she was murdered by a person or persons unknown.``