Shirley Finn's mysterious life, from parties with Elton John to her execution-style death
ABC News
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
UPDATED 12 MINUTES AGO (as at 17:10 AEDT 2 December 2017)
‘On a wintry Sunday in 1975, around the stroke of midnight, Shirley Finn was shot four times in the head — her body found the next morning slumped over the wheel of her white Dodge Phoenix at the Royal Perth Golf Course.
It was immediately clear the well-known brothel madam had been murdered, yet decades later, that remains one of the only known facts surrounding the case.
The mother-of-three was facing a $100,000 tax debt and was killed two days before a hearing on the matter, where she had been threatening to blow the whistle on illicit dealings by politicians, businessmen and police.
Despite two cold case reviews, the execution-style killing has never been solved.
An inquest into her murder, led by coroner Barry King, has this week heard from seven witnesses — all relying on recollections of events that occurred 42 years ago.
In total, 30 witnesses have appeared at the inquest so far — yet their evidence has raised more questions than it has answered, slowly revealing just how little is known about that fateful night in June 1975.’
‘Fear has become a common theme among many witnesses at the inquest — some clearly trepidatious about openly talking of that time in 1975, and others spilling all after decades of silence.
Perth was certainly a different place back then, full of illegal gambling joints, prostitution, dodgy race fixing and wild parties.
The court has heard numerous reports of police corruption, including that Detective Johnson was running the town, taking payment from brothels and gambling venues in return for protection and tip-offs to raids.
Mr Johnson, who now has dementia and lives in a nursing home south of Perth, has been linked by numerous witnesses to Ms Finn's murder.
On Thursday, the brothel madam's dressmaker Glenn Properjohn described the detective as "ruthless" and "bombastic", admitting he was still fearful to talk about him.
Mr Meyers — the horse trainer who knew the detective as "BJ The Bear" — told the court he had no doubt the detective shot Ms Finn, describing him as "a crim with a badge" and "a very violent man".
For now, the search for answers is on pause. The inquest is not due to resume until December 12, when another 10 or more witnesses are due to give testimony.
When the inquest began in August, coroner Barry King indicated it was likely proceedings would run into next year.
A New Year, full of new — and old — questions that remain unanswered.’
Read more at:
http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...e-of-perth-brothel-madam-shirley-finn/9216800