Australia Two unsolved rapes of Melbourne teenagers in the 1980s have been linked to the same gang

[dotr]

April 28 2019
'Find them': Rape victim comes forward after hearing details of other cold case attack
"Earlier this month police released a video re-enactment of an abduction and sexual assault in South Yarra in 1985.

The victim, Susan, was dragged into a car, then blindfolded and taken to an unknown location, where she was sexually assaulted in a terrifying three-hour ordeal.

A woman who wanted to be known as Debbie contacted police after seeing their appeal for information and detectives now believe there are "striking similarities" between the two cases."

"In March 1986, Debbie, who was 19, was walking along the footpath of Ashwood Drive in Nunawading, when she was dragged into a white or silver car with four men.

She was abducted, gagged and blindfolded at knifepoint in similar circumstances to Susan's attack. It happened just four months after the attack on Susan.

Debbie was diagnosed with PTSD after the assault. She changed her name and moved interstate to escape her attackers."

 

[dotr]

Two Melbourne cold case rapes linked
"Detective Inspector Steve Wilson from the Sexual Crimes Squad said that after a public appeal about a similar attack on an 18-year-old at South Yarra in November 1985, police received information that gave them reason to believe the two are linked.
The girl was abducted and sexually assaulted in 1985. (Victoria Police)
Officers are now following leads in more than one other state to find the culprits.

"We still believe with the level of offending that's occurred with this there's every likelihood that there will be other victims out there and other people who know who these people are," Insp. Wilson said.

"If there is a victim out there we would encourage them to come forward."

In the November 1985 attack, the schoolgirl was selling flowers to restaurants along Chapel Street when she suffered a similar attack to Debbie.

She was bound, gagged and blindfolded, driven to an unknown property, and raped for several hours while still blindfolded before being dumped.

The victim died in 2008."

 

[LadyL]

geez, four creeps working together ... there's no way one victim could fight them off

 

[PayrollNerd]

PTSD would be an understatement. Physically, it must have taken them months to heal. It sounds like the 18 year old school girl died young. I hope she had a good life and it wasn’t suicide.

 

[PayrollNerd]

Two Melbourne cold case rapes linked
"Detective Inspector Steve Wilson from the Sexual Crimes Squad said that after a public appeal about a similar attack on an 18-year-old at South Yarra in November 1985, police received information that gave them reason to believe the two are linked.
The girl was abducted and sexually assaulted in 1985. (Victoria Police)
Officers are now following leads in more than one other state to find the culprits.

"We still believe with the level of offending that's occurred with this there's every likelihood that there will be other victims out there and other people who know who these people are," Insp. Wilson said.

"If there is a victim out there we would encourage them to come forward."

In the November 1985 attack, the schoolgirl was selling flowers to restaurants along Chapel Street when she suffered a similar attack to Debbie.

She was bound, gagged and blindfolded, driven to an unknown property, and raped for several hours while still blindfolded before being dumped.

The victim died in 2008."

Whoa. That is a chunk of change. They need to heavily advertise that. DNA would be helpful too if they were able to gather any. Somebody knows something. I bet the perps are not much older than the victims. I don't know how they live with themselves.

“Earlier in April police announced a $350,000 reward to help solve the 1985 attack and the cash applied now to Debbie's case too.“

 

[Via Marple]

I hope they have DNA from Susan's case. They were blindfolded so wouldn't recognise their attackers, though Debbie may have some clues about them which are not advertised.

I hate to have so many dangerous criminals still living freely in the community, unpunished.

 

[PayrollNerd]

I hope they have DNA from Susan's case. They were blindfolded so wouldn't recognise their attackers, though Debbie may have some clues about them which are not advertised.

I hate to have so many dangerous criminals still living freely in the community, unpunished.

You bring up a good point about recognizing her attackers. Visually, no, she wouldn’t be able to. What about audibly tho? If she heard their voices would it stir a memory, bring back a detail? Did the car sound louder than a normal car?

What about the surfaces she came in contact with? Were the seats of the car made of fabric, vinyl or leather? If she was inside, did she smell cleaning products, pets, garbage, food, etc

If she was outside did she recognize any smells like jasmine blooming, wet moldy leaves, feel snow on the ground, etc.?

There’s so many clues that seem minor but when all combined create a picture.

 

[Via Marple]

Yes that's what I mean. A person has five senses, not just sight. And the more victims to come forward, the better the picture.

A gang of four blindfolding girls to attack them were very organised, it is not usual.

You bring up a good point about recognizing her attackers. Visually, no, she wouldn’t be able to. What about audibly tho? If she heard their voices would it stir a memory, bring back a detail? Did the car sound louder than a normal car?

What about the surfaces she came in contact with? Were the seats of the car made of fabric, vinyl or leather? If she was inside, did she smell cleaning products, pets, garbage, food, etc

If she was outside did she recognize any smells like jasmine blooming, wet moldy leaves, feel snow on the ground, etc.?

There’s so many clues that seem minor but when all combined create a picture.

 

[Via Marple]

Delete double