Mapping a murder
A geographic investigation into the 1952 murder of Betty Shanks - Queensland's oldest cold case.
On a moonless spring night in 1952, a bright young woman – only metres from her home – screamed out in terror as she was overpowered, brutally beaten and left to die on an otherwise safe suburban street.
The savage murder of 22-year-old Betty Shanks sent shock waves through the tight-knit community of Wilston and became known as the crime that stole Brisbane’s innocence.
Retrace Betty's final tragic steps and follow the leads unearthed by investigators for insight into the victim, the crime scenes, and the suspects.
On the night she was murdered, 22-year-old Betty Shanks was attending a night class at Brisbane Commercial High School.
In a city of less than half a million people, residents felt safe enough to leave their doors unlocked at night.
Walking home alone after 9pm was not something to be concerend about — until that night.
Betty Shanks, photograph courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
After her class, Betty and two other students were driven partway home by their lecturer, Edward Milliken.
At the time, Brisbane had an extensive tram network spanning suburbs close to the city, including Grange.
Edward dropped Betty off at Tram Stop 19 on Lutwyche Road in Windsor where she boarded tramcar 434 bound for Grange.
Trams on the corner of George and Adelaide Streets in Brisbane (1954)
The Grange Tram Terminus on Days Road was just at the end of Thomas Street where Betty was later attacked.
Betty alighted the tram at Grange Tram Terminus on Days Road and began walking down Thomas Street towards her home on Montpelier Street - less than 400 metres away.
This was the last time she was seen alive.
Hear the statement of one of the last people to see Betty alive on the tram that night in Episode 3 of Murdering Betty.
From Days Road, looking down Thomas Street (1952) Photo courtesy of the Queensland Police Museum
The following morning, Betty's brutally battered body was found murdered in the backyard of a home on the corner of Thomas and Carberry streets.
Investigations revealed that neighbours in the area heard screaming that night and while some had gone to look out of their windows, none of them went outside.
Examine the witness statements and zoom into their locations relative to where Betty's body was found:
Investigations also revealed a number of witnesses had seen a man wearing a brown suit pacing restlessly near the tram terminus.
He was seen along Days Road and as far down as Thomas Street between 8:15pm and 9:36pm.
Read the witness statements and follow the movements of the man in the brown suit.
Police were never able to identify the man in the brown suit, however, many suspects have surfaced over the years. Learn more about each of the suspects below...
The suspects
Eric Sterry - The carpenter
A few months bfore she was murdered, Betty had hired Eric Sterry to complete renovations and carpentry work on her parent's home.
Eric had reportedly expressed a romantic interest in Betty, however there was no evidence she reciprocated it. This led to the theory that he had killed Betty for rejecting his advances.
Years after the murder, Eric’s daughter claimed that on the night of the murder her father had left her and her brother in the car on Inglis Street by Wilston State School for what seemed like a very long time.
She claimed that when he returned to drive them home, he was covered in blood and was later seen acting suspisciously in thier backyard. Her statement also mentions that she had to clean what seemed like blood from his shoes the next day.
Retrace Eric's steps on the night of the murder in Episode 3 of Mapping Evil with Mike King
Joe - The man in the shadows
A new suspect emerged in the case when Ken came forward to tell police he believed his father ‘Joe’ committed the murder.
Ken claims Joe - a cruel and jealous man - was waiting at the terminus that night for his wife, who he believed was having an affair with a man who lived nearby.
On a moonless night, Ken claimed his father hid in the shadows and supposedly mistook Betty for his wife - the two women shared an incredible likeness.
Hear what the investigation revealed about Joe's movements that night in Episode 4 of Mapping Evil with Mike King.
The soldier
1952 was the middle of the Korean war and the first of Australia's original national service intakes had started. It was a fairly common sight to see soldiers on the streets of Brisbane.
On the evening Betty was attacked, several officers were at the nearby Exhibition Grounds for an army tattoo dress rehearsal.
Ken Blanch, a newspaper reporter at the time, said the mark on Betty's forehead suggested she was kicked by someone wearing heavy footwear - given the force that was used.
This had left a rectangular mark on her forehead of about four centimeters square that strongly resembled the marks from canvas gaiters worn by soldiers around their ankles.
This theory was further supported by the fresh polish that was found on her body.
Hear more theories about the soldier in Murdering Betty: Episode 2
The doctor
A few days after Betty was attacked, an Ipswich-based practicing doctor was found dead in his home.
The news of his suicide shared the front page with Betty's story, starting rumors that the two had been having an affair.
It's been speculated they had met at university lectures and the doctor may have tried to start a relationship with Betty, but she had rejected him because he was married.
Hear more about the doctor in Episode 3 of Mapping Evil with Mike King: Murdering Betty .
An Ongoing Case...
This case remains unsolved to this day, and Queensland Police Service are offering a $50,000 reward.
If you have any information about any unsolved crime or suspicious activity, then you can share what you know with Crime Stoppers without saying who you are or getting involved. Rewards are available. Call 1800 333 000 or go to www.crimestoppers.com.au
Learn more about this case from the Mapping Evil: Murdering Betty podcast
The Mapping Evil with Mike King podcast explores how geographic thinking can provide new insights into the murder of Betty Shanks.
Meet Mike King
Mike is considered a pioneer in the global law enforcement sector for using geospatial analysis to solve crimes worldwide.
His contribution to law enforcement has spanned more than four decades during which he's served in every division of policing.
His career appointments have included: Sergeant, Lieutenant, Division Chief and Chief.
