Unsolved cold case murders million dollar rewards offered for information 20191129 p5r1wx.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
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This was published 6 years ago

The millions of dollars still on offer over cold case murders

A Current Affair Staff

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A Current Affair

Individual rewards range from $50,000 to a staggering $1 million.

One of those rewards is on offer for information about the murder of beauty queen Bronwynne Richardson in 1973.

The 17-year-old was dragged into a car in Albury, on the New South Wales-Victoria border, and her body was found two days later in a lagoon off the Murray River.

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She had been sexually assaulted, strangled, and drowned.

Teenager Bronwynne Richardson was murdered in 1973. A Current Affair

Her sister Fiona was four-and-a-half years old when Bronwynne was murdered.

"The indescribable sadness and grief throughout the entire family - it's indescribable," she told A Current Affair.

Another sister, Janet, was two years older than Bronwynne.

Bronwynne's bodie was found in a lagoon. A Current Affair

"You just don't get over it," she said.

In 2010, a $200,000 reward was posted.

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In 2014, detectives arrested a 61-year-old man, but the Director of Public Prosecutions dropped the charges a year later, citing insufficient evidence to get a conviction.

Bronwynne's sisters, Janet and Fiona, want answers. A Current Affair

Earlier this year, the reward was ramped up to $1 million.

"It doesn't just give us hope, it gives us support because it means that the government, the minister, the police are still active," Fiona said.

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Another million-dollar reward has posted for the murder of horse trainer George Brown in 1984.

Horse trainer George Brown was murdered in 1984. A Current Affair

In April of that year, Brown's tortured body was found inside his burnt-out car at Bulli Pass, south of Sydney.

His sister Jean O'Leary saw him at Sydney Airport the day before, as she was heading off on holiday.

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"And then the next morning was my 50th birthday and I got the word to say that he was killed," she said.

George Brown's body was found inside his burnt-out car. A Current Affair

The murder took place after Brown took a phone call warning him one of his horses would run dead.

"I just feel as though it's the greed and the power and the lust for money - that's what I think, why he was killed," Jean said.

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But for her, too, the knowledge of the reward brings some comfort.

Brown's sister Jean O'Leary is pleased police are still trying to solve Brown's death. A Current Affair

"I was just so pleased to think that there are still people out there caring, who want to solve it," she said.

Rewards are only a part of the repertoire of the strategies used in murder investigations, and they aren't offered lightly.

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In an unsolved homicide, or older cold cases, the timing of the announcement of a reward is crucial.

Detective Superintendent Scott Cook said the timing of reward offers was crucial. A Current Affair

"In those matters we use the reward system because relationships change," NSW Police homicide chief Detective Superintendent Scott Cook said.

"For example, two people may have had a falling out over a 20-year period, and one of those people may now wish to speak - particularly if they are enticed with the right amount of money."

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When fugitive killer Malcolm Naden was finally arrested, some witnesses received a payout.

And across the country there are scores of unclaimed rewards, with more than 50 $1 million rewards on offer in Victoria alone.

For the families, the smallest lead could finally help them piece together the murder jigsaw puzzle.

Anybody with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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