It's my understanding the kimono featured heavily in the press as possibly being connected to the murder of Victoria Clarke in Victoria Park which would be quite frightening. When the police talk to the press, more often than not the messaging is for the perpetrator, not the public so perhaps they knew all along where that kimono came from, the actual owner connected to BRE and it was an attempt to exert pressure.
I think it's possible someone back then covered up for BRE.
You might cover up for BRE if you thought he could be responsible for murder not jut a indecent assault?
Kimono clue to a brutal killing. The West Australian February 17 1988.
Linking clue on kimono left at Huntingdale attack to the murder of Victoria Clark in September 1997. Clue turns out to be DNA, as announced by Karl OCallahan in news conference announcing arrest of BRE.
Cops and crims in Australia likely not to know too much about DNA in 1988. First conviction using DNA in 2001 in Australia. However, was being used for conviction in England in 1986.
- In 1986, Richard Buckland was exonerated, despite having admitted to the rape and murder of a teenager near Leicester, the city where DNA profiling was first developed. This was the first use of DNA fingerprinting in a criminal investigation, and the first to prove a suspect's innocence.[SUP][63][/SUP] The following year Colin Pitchfork was identified as the perpetrator of the same murder, in addition to another, using the same techniques that had cleared Buckland.[SUP][64][/SUP]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DNA_profiling
Interesting reports after Feb 1988 where they link South side rapist to VC and Vanessa Devlin. Would they have also got matching DNA or evidence from Vanessa Devlin?
The West Australian June 18[SUP]th,[/SUP] 1988, page 1. By Steve Lague.
New Southside murder hunt.
Police find partially clothed body of Vanessa Roberta Devlin 23 years old.
Certain similarities to other attacks by south side rapist.
Found on floor of a sleepout at the rear of an Albany Highway house. House is 100m from highway and no close neighbours with a railway line running alongside.
South side rapist may be responsible for more than 16 attacks on women in the past 2 years. They include the murder of Victoria Clark aged 30.
Suspect is mid 20’s 175 cm tall medium build, dark curly hair and brown eyes.
Police unwilling to say just one man was responsible. Maybe shift worker.
