Australia Australia - Shirley Finn, 33, Perth, 22 Jun 1975

Shirley Finn was murdered in a gangland-style hit in June 1975, shot four times in the head at close range. She was found slumped in her car at the Royal Perth Golf Club in South Perth.

Rumours have been rife that corrupt police, politicians and other madams were involved as well as theories Ms Finn was blackmailing clients to pay off a tax bill or threatening to blow the whistle on them to the tax commissioner.

WA Police conducted a cold case review and handed the file over to the State Coroner last year. Eight months on, a decision has still not been made on a public inquest.

(...)

A WA Coroner’s Court spokeswoman said the Finn matter was “being looked at."

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http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/wes...t/news-story/a3aae9209476c6f7389a655562053dca

Shirley Finn murder: Police received tip-off that Neddy Smith killed brothel madam, court told
ABC News online
17 MINUTES AGO (as at 18:42 PM AEST)

'Detectives investigating the murder of brothel madam Shirley Finn in Perth in 1975 received a tip-off from the public that notorious Sydney underworld figure Arthur Stanley "Neddy" Smith had killed her, a Perth court has heard.

The Perth Coroner's Court is conducting a hearing ahead of the inquest into Ms Finn's death, which is due to start next month.'

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...uest-hears-from-former-police-officer/8852968

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http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-05/date-set-for-shirley-finn-inquest/8500426

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2016-...o-death-of-brothel-madam-shirley-finn/7581076

Shirley Finn inquest: Daughter denies remarks allegedly made to investigating officers
ABC News
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
UPDATED 38 MINUTES AGO (as at 13 September 18:07 AEST)

'The daughter of infamous Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn, whose execution style murder in 1975 remains unsolved, has denied a number of statements she allegedly made to police at the time.

Bridget Shewring was 12-years-old when her mother's body was found slumped over the wheel of a car at the Royal Perth Golf Course with four bullet holes in her head.'

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...bridget-shewring-testifies-at-inquest/8941120

Cop car near Finn's before shots: inquest
7 News
Rebecca Le May
AAP
an hour ago (as at 20:35 AEST 14 September 2017)

'The inquest into the gangland-style murder of Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn has heard extraordinary testimony from a man who claims he saw a police car near her "yank tank" before hearing gun shots.

Philip Robert Hooper, 68, claims he was threatened over what he witnessed for decades, including by Bruce Wilson, Julia Gillard's ex-boyfriend and the then-leader of the Australian Workers Union in WA.

Mr Hooper told the WA Coroner's Court on Thursday he was driving with his girlfriend along Melville Parade on the night of June 22, 1975 when he saw Ms Finn's distinctive Dodge parked at the edge of Royal Perth Golf Course close to a police panel van.

Mr Hooper said he pulled over down the road to chat with his now-wife and heard shouting, mainly by a female, followed by four gun shots.'

Read more at:

https://au.news.yahoo.com/wa/a/37081208/gravely-ill-man-to-testify-at-finn-inquest/

Shirley Finn inquest told former police officer confessed to Perth brothel madam's murder
ABC News
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
UPDATED TUE [19 SEPTEMBER 2017] AT 12:15AM

'A former prison guard has told an inquest into the 42-year-old murder of Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn of a time in 1995 when her superior, former police officer James Boland, confessed to the killing.

It is another twist in the unsolved murder of Ms Finn, who was found with four bullet holes in her head at the Royal Perth Golf Course in June 1975.

Her death came three days before a tax hearing where she had threatened to blow the whistle on illicit dealings of politicians, businessmen and police.

Margo Ann Devine worked under Mr Boland at the Pardellup Prison Farm in Western Australia's South West.

She told the Perth Coroners Court how, around six months after the former police detective began working at the farm, he asked if she knew anything about a prostitute she heard him call "Shirley Flint".

Ms Devine said when she replied she had not, Mr Boland told her the prostitute was an informant who he and two other police officers had killed.

Ms Devine told police of the alleged admission in 2007 and told the court on Monday her impression at the time was that he was possibly telling the truth.'

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...-told-former-police-officer-confessed/8956396

Related:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...-inquest-he-was-threatened-by-two-men/8945028

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...bridget-shewring-testifies-at-inquest/8941120

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...uest-hears-from-former-police-officer/8852968

Shirley Finn told 'shut your mouth' by police chief days before murder, inquest hears
ABC News
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
UPDATED ABOUT 6 HOURS AGO
(as at 01:07 AEST 20 September 2017)

'Former WA Police commissioner Owen Leitch threatened Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn days before she was murdered 42 years ago, a coronial inquest has heard.

Mr Leitch is the latest high-profile figure to be named at the inquest into the murder of Ms Finn, whose body was found in her car at Royal Perth Golf Course in June 1975.

She had been shot four times in the head.

Ms Finn was killed three days before a tax hearing where she had threatened to blow the lid on illicit dealings by politicians, businessmen and police.

Giving evidence at the inquiry, Jacqueline de Gaye told the court about a conversation she overheard between her partner at the time, bookkeeper Don Mack, and Ms Finn two days before she was murdered.

"Shirley came in with like a big plastic cover on a dress. She puts it down [and] she says 'I think I'm gone Don'," she told the court.

The inquest heard Ms Finn proceeded to tell Mr Mack how she had spoken to Mr Leitch and informed him she was meeting with the tax office soon, warning she would name names.

Ms de Gay said when Ms Finn was told to keep her mouth shut by Mr Leitch, she replied "if I go down, so will you with your boys".

"Owen said to her, 'watch what you say, shut your mouth or bang'," Ms de Gaye said, indicating that Ms Finn put her hand to her head miming a gun as she spoke.

Ms de Gaye told the court Ms Finn had been expecting to meet some important men, and was told to "dress to impress".

She said she recognised the dress Ms Finn was carrying as the same one she had on when she was found slumped over the wheel of her car two days later.

Mr Leitch was the acting police commissioner at the time and was promoted to the top job just months after Ms Finn's death. He died in 2002.

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...police-chief-owen-leitch-inquest-told/8959784

Australian Story: Getting Away With Murder
ABC
Posted Tue 7 Mar 2017, 11:40am
Updated Mon 18 Sep 2017, 6:40pm

'The unsolved murder of Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn is one of Australia's most notorious cold cases.

For Shirley Finn's daughter, Bridget Shewring, it is a personal tragedy.

In June 1975 her mother's body was found slumped in the front seat of her Dodge, four bullet holes to the back of the head.

From the outset rumours of police and political involvement swirled around the case, many believing that Shirley Finn was silenced to stop her revealing the secrets of powerful figures in Western Australia.

For the past decade Bridget and former journalist Juliet Wills have been seeking an inquest into the murder. Last year, after discovering significant new evidence, they achieved their goal.'

http://www.abc.net.au/austory/getting-away-with-murder-preview/8316058

Shirley Finn murder inquest told police ignored evidence about officer at crime scene
ABC News
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
UPDATED 34 MINUTES AGO (as at 21:20 AEST 20 September 2917)

'A witness has told the inquest into the 42-year-old unsolved murder of Shirley Finn how he saw a police officer at the crime scene on the night the Perth brothel madam was killed, but police ignored his evidence for years.

Key points:

• Police officer at murder scene was former detective Don Hancock: witness
• Repeated attempts to report evidence not taken seriously by police, inquest told
• Taxi driver says he saw Ms Finn being shot by former premier Ray O'Connor

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...-told-police-ignored-witness-evidence/8963982

Finn murder 'not random', WA inquest hears
yahoo7 News/AAP
Rebecca Le May
NOVEMBER 20, 2017 8:30pm

‘Three days of searching the site where Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn was shot in the head four times only uncovered one bullet cartridge, suggesting it wasn't a random murder, her long-awaited inquest has heard.’

‘Dennis Macrone, who was the officer-in-charge at South Perth Police Station at the time, told WA Coroner's Court on Monday a .22 casing was found in the car but searches around the vehicle, including using a metal detector, failed to locate more.

Mr Macrone agreed when it was put to him someone must have picked the cartridges up and replied, "oh yes", when asked if that suggested the killing wasn't random.

The court also heard from Edward Moseley and his wife Elaine, who said they drove past the golf course on the night of the murder and saw a woman with blonde, shoulder-length hair near the distinctive American car.

Several people have already told the inquest they saw two men near Ms Finn's car but this is the first time witnesses have described seeing a female.’

Read more at:

http://www.news.com.au/national/bre...s/news-story/d7166d5ca8ce9f86af018053b68a0b16

Shirley Finn inquest told former police chief Don Hancock murdered Perth brothel madam
ABC News
BY SARAH COLLARD AND BRIANA SHEPHERD
UPDATED ABOUT 5 HOURS AGO (as at 23:08 AEDT 22 November 2017)

‘A coronial inquest has heard explosive claims that CIB chief Don Hancock shot and killed brothel madam Shirley Finn, whose body was found riddled with bullets at Royal Perth Golf Course in 1975.

The claims came from Leigh Varis-Beswick, a former madam who went on to become a Kalgoorlie city councillor, who was told of the link between Mr Hancock and Ms Finn's murder by her ex-partner — former detective Tony Lewandowski — following Mr Hancock's death in a car bomb blast in 2001.’

‘Ms Varis-Beswick, formerly known as Harry, said she was Ms Finn's driver from about 1968 to 1971, before going on to work as a prostitute for Ms Finn.

She told the inquest that in 2004 she received a phone call from Mr Lewandowski, a detective who had worked closely with Mr Hancock — the detective in charge of the police Criminal Investigation Branch — and with whom she had been involved for several years.

She said he refused to give his name over fears the line was bugged, but asked Ms Varis-Beswick if she knew who she was talking with.

Ms Varis-Beswick said Mr Lewandowski — or Lou as he was commonly known — told her he had been the driver while Mr Hancock shot Ms Finn.

"There were two of us — Don Hancock was the trigger-man," Ms Varis-Beswick said Mr Lewandowski revealed to her.’

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...ld-don-hancock-murdered-brothel-madam/9180496

Shirley Finn inquest told top cop stole rifle used to shoot brothel madam from custody
ABC News
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
46 MINUTES AGO (as at 21:05 AEDT 23 November 2017)

‘A witness at the inquest into the execution-style killing of Shirley Finn says former police minister Ray O'Connor told him the rifle used had been stolen from police custody by head of the Vice Squad, Bernie Johnson.

Coroner Barry King is investigating the murder of the Perth brothel madam 42 years ago.

The testimony came from Maxwell Healy, who said he was told about the gun while imprisoned with Ray O'Connor, who was convicted of fraud following the WA Inc. scandal and jailed in 1995.’

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-23/shirley-finn-murder-inquest/9186306

Shirley Finn inquest witness claims she was targeted by Vice Squad boss Bernie Johnson
ABC News
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
UPDATED ABOUT 11 HOURS AGO (as at 07:38 AEDT 25 November 2017)

‘A coronial inquest has heard murdered brothel madam Shirley Finn "didn't have a hope" because she was being targeted by former chief of the Vice Squad Bernie Johnson — a man who was feared by many, including future premier Ray O'Connor, in Perth in the 1970s.’

‘Michael Joseph Regan gave evidence at the inquest into Ms Finn's death via telephone on Friday due to ill health.

He said when he was a junior officer he used to drive all of the top detectives around, including Mr Johnson and Mick Reed, who led the investigation into Ms Finn's death.

‘"They used to run the show," he said.

Mr Regan implied Mr Johnson was at the helm of the "small gang" and said he was so threatening he made Roger Rogerson — a notorious NSW police figure later convicted of murder — look like a "boy scout".

"Everyone was frightened of him," he said. "Ray O'Connor was frightened of him. He was a madman."
Mr Regan said he only saw Ms Finn once, a few weeks before her death, while with Mr Johnson at Gloucester Park.

He said Mr Johnson went up and spoke to her.

"We all knew he was going to kill her," he said. "They wanted her killed."

When asked who "they" were he said: "O'Connor, everyone".

"She had no hope. No hope."’

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...inquest-bernie-johnson-links-revealed/9191356

Shirley Finn inquest: Ray O'Connor, Don Hancock, Bernie Johnson and the murder of a madam
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
UPDATED YESTERDAY [25 November 2017] AT 11:43AM

‘It was the 1970s and Perth was known as the Wild West.

While perhaps unimaginable now, the epithet becomes more believable as the inquest into the unsolved execution-style murder of Shirley Finn continues.

Her coronial inquest has this week heard from 12 witnesses — many of them painting a picture of a city wracked with crime, gambling, and prostitution.’

‘Despite two cold case reviews her murder has never been solved, and now Coroner Barry King is leading a probe into her death.

After 42 years, it is fair to say most of the witnesses' memories are not what they were.

But between the inaccuracies, varying dates and wild — almost impossible — claims, a common thread has emerged linking three men to the crime: Bernie Johnson, Don Hancock and Ray O'Connor.’

’Inquest delves deeper

All of the witnesses have been put through their paces.

Counsel for the Police Commissioner David Leigh has highlighted a number of inaccuracies among their statements — with many dates and times not matching the generally-accepted version of events from that weekend in June 1975.

The inquest continues with Ms Finn's former live-in girlfriend due to give evidence on Wednesday [29 November].

Rose Black has virtually disappeared since the murder and Ms Finn's daughter, Bridget Shewring, said she believes the woman knows more than she has previously let on.’

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...on-hancock-ray-oconnor-bernie-johnson/9190326

Shirley Finn inquest witness describes brothel madam's last words before execution murder
ABC News
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
ABOUT 5 HOURS AGO (as at 22:21 AEDT 28 November 2017)

‘Murdered brothel madam Shirley Finn offered some final words of reassurance before she was followed into the night by two men holding a long thin package wrapped in brown paper, according to the last witness to see her alive.’

‘Peter Burns was working as a security guard at the University of Western Australia in 1975 and told the inquest he saw Ms Finn, in the same car, near the Crawley campus on the evening of June 22 around 11:30pm.

He said he went over to ask if she was OK and she said, "yes love, I'm alright — I'm waiting for someone".

He said when he left Ms Finn he saw two men — dressed in suits — walking away from the UWA Guild building holding a long thin package wrapped in brown paper.

Mr Burns told the court he saw the two men get in another car and follow Ms Finn as she drove off down Riverside Drive.

He said the second car did not have its lights on.

"I felt something was not right," he told the court.

My Burns said he reported it to campus security right away, and later called police who he said told him, "we'll look after it, we'll handle it".

He said he never heard from them again.’

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-28/shirly-finn-last-words-recounted-at-murder-inquest/9197012

Shirley Finn's ex-lover Rose Black breaks silence on who killed brothel madam
ABC News
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
14 MINUTES AGO (as at 16:43 AEDT 28 November 2017)

‘The ex-girlfriend of murdered Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn, Rose Black, has broken decades of silence, telling an inquest into Ms Finn's murder today that she has feared for her life for more than 40 years.

Appearing via video link at the Perth Coroner's Court, Ms Black — who was living with Ms Finn and her daughter in 1975 — said she believed her "lover" was frightened for her life the night she was killed.’

‘Ms Black told the court Ms Finn was stressed around the time of her murder, and had been dealing with a significant tax bill she could not afford.’

‘She said on Sunday June 22, 1975, Ms Finn told her she was going to meet "The Bear" who had brought someone over from Sydney to fix her tax problems.

She said Ms Finn was fearful of the meeting and had broken down in tears.

"I think at the last moment she wanted to back out," she said.

"She didn't want to meet these people. She said 'it doesn't feel right'."

A previous witness — former horse trainer Robert Meyers — told the court former police Vice Squad boss Bernie Johnson was known as "BJ the bear".’

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...riend-rose-black-testifies-at-inquest/9205714

Shirley Finn's friend admits fear of top cop Bernie Johnson continues 42 years on
ABC News
BY BRIANA SHEPHERD
34 MINUTES AGO (as at 19:52 AEDT 30 November 2017)

‘A witness at an inquest into the 1975 murder of Shirley Finn has admitted he is still afraid to say why he believes one of WA's top police officers organised to have the brothel madam killed.

Dressmaker Glenn Properjohn told Perth Coroner's Court he was a close friend of Ms Finn and had known her for about 10 years at the time she was killed.’

‘Mr Properjohn, appearing in person at the inquest, was clearly uncomfortable on the stand.

He told the court he believed the former head of the Vice Squad, Bernie Johnson, had organised to have Ms Finn killed, but was unwilling to explain what led him to believe that.

Mr Properjohn repeatedly told the court it was just his "instinct".

But when the counsel assisting the coroner, Toby Bishop, asked him if he was afraid to tell the court why he believed Mr Johnson was involved, he replied, "maybe a little — yeah".’

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-11-30/shirley-finn-inquest-dressmaker-properjohn-evidence/9211476

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

Shirley Finn inquest: Purple circle of corrupt detectives drank with Abe Saffron
ABC News
BY JOANNA MENAGH
UPDATED ABOUT AN HOUR AGO (as at 01:07 AEDT 12 December 2017)

‘A powerful so-called "purple circle" of corrupt detectives existed in WA's police force at the time of the murder of brothel madam Shirley Finn, an inquest into her death has heard.

Former detective Robin Thoy told the hearing the "heavies" of the group were from the "consorting, vice and break-in" squads, and its leader was vice squad chief Bernie Johnson.

The inquest has heard Mr Johnson was the second detective to arrive at the crime scene near Royal Perth Golf Club, where Ms Finn was found shot four times in the head at the wheel of her car.’

‘Mr Thoy was a junior detective at the time and described the purple circle as "pretty powerful people" who "could do whatever they wanted."

He testified he was once invited to join the circle, but had refused to do what was asked of him by Mr Johnson.

"What he wanted me to do was give evidence in his case," Mr Thoy said.

"I didn't have a clue … I said I wouldn't do it and I knew my career in the CIB was not going to be very good, if at all.

"You didn't say no to Bernie Johnson. He was a very powerful figure. Once you say that, you don't go anywhere."

'It was straight out extortion'

Giving evidence via video link from Tasmania, Mr Thoy also said he was aware police received payments from prostitutes.

"It was just straight out extortion … the girls paid for protection. Bernie was the leader," he said.

When questioned about the veracity of his claims, Mr Thoy replied: "I was in the CIB for 19 years. I watched, I saw if they did well or not.

"I'm not making it up — I was there."

Another former detective, Laurie Tyler, told the inquest he had heard of "the purple circle" and when he first started, it was suggested to him that he should be associating with certain officers if he "wanted a long career".

However, he said they never approached him and he did not know how it operated.

Abe Saffron 'with police at pub'

Mr Tyler also testified he saw senior detectives, including Mr Johnson, at the Raffles Hotel in the company of its owner, underworld figure Abe Saffron.

He said police officer and now convicted killer Roger Rogerson was also present, but at that time he had not been exposed as corrupt and was considered to be a "highly decorated detective."

He had not found it surprising to see police with Saffron, because "that was their job, to associate with criminals. As a junior detective, I didn't ask questions."’

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...t-witness-denies-accusing-neddy-smith/9247760

Vice Squad boss Bernie Johnson won't give evidence in Shirley Finn inquest
ABC News
BY JOANNA MENAGH
UPDATED 37 MINUTES AGO (as at 16:30 AEDT 12 December 2017)

‘The former detective implicated in the 1975 murder of Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn will not give evidence at an inquest because he has Alzheimer's disease and advanced dementia.’

‘A statement from Mr Johnson's general practitioner, Fola Bello, was today read to the court, which said the former detective had been in an aged care facility since September last year and was suffering from Alzheimer's disease, advanced dementia and depression.

The statement said Mr Johnson was showing "behavioural and psychotic symptoms of dementia" which included "aggression, agitation, confusion and inappropriate behaviour".

The doctor said Mr Johnson's condition had progressively declined and he was showing "a complete lack of understanding of day-to-day activities".

"His memory and recollection of both recent and long-term events is markedly impaired and unreliable, with associated inability to maintain or sustain any reasonable chain of thought." he said.

"I am of the opinion he has no testamentary capability to give evidence or make any reasonable contribution to any legal proceedings."’

Read more at:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2017-...face-shirley-finn-inquest-doctor-says/9247352