On Friday 19 September 1952, 22-year-old Betty Shanks was walking home from the Grange Tram Terminus in Brisbane when she was brutally slain just 300 metres from her front door.
Who killed Betty Shanks?
1. The doctor
2. The soldier
3. The police officer
4. The handyman
The paths of victim and predator
Betty was dropped off at the Lutwyche road tram stop. Another woman arrived at the same stop shortly afterwards. They were the only two passengers to board the tram so it's unlikely she was followed from this stop.
Betty was last seen heading towards Thomas Street. With only 150-metres between the tram terminus and the location where she was found, there is a limited stretch where Betty could've crossed paths with her attacker.
Either she was followed from the terminus, or the killer was waiting to ambush her.
Seventeen-year-old Marie Patton caught the same tram as Betty that night and walked ahead of her along Thomas Street. She told police she didn't see or hear anyone along the way. Marie was only a minute or so ahead of Betty – if the attacker was lying in wait, they let Marie pass without incident.
The timing of the attack suggests Betty may have stopped to talk with somebody at the Terminus or along the street. The walk from the terminus to the location of the attack takes less than two minutes but it took seven or eight minutes for Betty to arrive. This leaves five or six minutes unaccounted for between departing the tram and her attack.
This theory may be supported by a witness who saw two people walking together down Thomas Street at approximately 9:36pm – minutes before Betty’s screams were heard by neighbours. The identities of the two people remain a mystery.
The location of blood splatter at the scene indicates the assault took place in the backyard, meaning the killer threw or pushed Betty over the fence and into the yard before assaulting her.
The killer removed her underwear but didn’t sexually assault Betty, indicating he may have been interrupted. A passenger from the following tram reported passing by the backyard at 9:53pm – this is approximately the time Betty is believed to have died and the killer was likely still in the yard.
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Despite the passage of time, decades-old cold cases – like the murder of Betty Shanks – can still be solved. Advancements in crime-fighting technology, and importantly, tips and information from the public, allow law enforcement to re-open investigations and hopefully find justice for the victim's families.
The case remains unsolved and Queensland Police Service are offering a $50,000 reward.
The Geography of Victimology
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I had never read before that Betty’s underwear had been removed, which points to it being a sexually motivated crime.
I just wonder if it were a total stranger or someone who lived nearby, an acquaintance, and he took the opportunity that night to murder and assault Betty.
It was such a daring crime as it wasn’t that late at night, and she was murdered in someone’s backyard!
It’s one of those awful opportunistic crimes where the killer was incredibly lucky and poor Betty, not only was brutally murdered, she never received justice!
jmo
