Australia Australia - Gerard Ross, 11, Rockingham, WA, 14 Oct 1997

[Canning Vale]

When moving house there’s the gas reading too and real estate agents and their employees who come and go. My thoughts are more of internal labourers who may have visited a property, such as painters, tilers, carpet layers. Often when people move into a home they update something shortly after like a new sink, clothesline installation etc.

No 101 – built 1940s - possibly needed something updating.

No 103 – built 1960s - That home was sold December 1997, and possibly under offer in October.

No 104 – I don’t have any information on that property – I wonder if it was actually being built during 1997.

No 102 – Has a walkway through to Rockingham Beach Rd. There was mention that Gerard may have taken a different route, other than Kent St. Perhaps he diverted through this property – thinking something got his attention - like a CB radio antenna. Perhaps he stopped to chat with someone.

 

[Canning Vale]

Vehicles reported by witnesses:

Cream or beige sedan a driver offered another 11-year-old boy a lift in Kent St, near the library – a few weeks prior to Gerard’s abduction.

Faded maroon/brown station wagon – the morning Gerard was abducted – two men struggling to get a boy into a station wagon (both mid-30s one fair headed the other dark hair).

White Ute spotted in the area with the driver acting suspiciously - prior to Gerard’s little body being found. Perhaps the ute driver was just someone checking on an illegal marijuana crop.

Perhaps if there were two abductors’, then it’s likely one would be the more aggressive and the other submissive or easily led. Perhaps the more aggressive one was the driver of the beige/cream sedan and the other drove the light maroon/brown station wagon and was told what to do. Perhaps the white ute was borrowed from another person who wasn’t even involved.

In regard to these vehicle’s what are other people’s thoughts?

Note: If the perpetrator of the 2008 attempted abduction is one of the same duo, could it be possible the dark-haired one, in the maroon/brown car was the more aggressive or the leader.

Attempted abduction (2008) - 12-year-old boy from Port Kennedy (Rockingham’s neighbouring suburb), described the perp. as 40s to 50s with a slim older face and black and greying hair .

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjM4eaPksbYAhVLE7wKHUs7DlQQFggtMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2017-01-17%2Fgerard-ross-murder-cold-case-timeline%2F8187904&usg=AOvVaw3yFmdiFrDujBAxx6x7Augv
http://www.google.com.au/url?

sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwinkryK_87YAhWFJ5QKHTkiDTwQFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.watoday.com.au%2Fwa-news%2Fpolice-to-provide-an-update-into-1997-gerard-ross-murder-case-20170117-gtsvgh.html&usg=AOvVaw2BQGPansWeNn3Sri8UzvzT

 

[Canning Vale]

If GR had horrific injuries, then I think it's probably fair to assume that he was taken by a sadist. Surely this person would have come under Police radar for something else (like animal cruelty)?

Would the RSPCA have archived information on such people? Not just the ones who were convicted. All reports. Especially animals with similar injuries, as they often kill animals before people (apparently).

The Police could probably also recheck their archives for fire bugs prior to 97, and see where they are now, and where they were in 1997? jmo

Interesting thoughts Mo Joe, you could always look at the old copies of Daily News, which are held at the State Library.

 

[Canning Vale]

Here is the correct link for the attempted abduction of a 12-year-old boy which occurred in 2008 at Port Kennedy - neighbouring suburb of Rockingham.

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/attempted-abduction-of-boy-in-port-kennedy-20081124-6fnm.html

The car is described as a white, late-model 4WD with a silver bull bar at the front, black door handles, a black rear bumper and a black fabric spare-wheel cover.

Police described the man as in his 40s or 50s, with a slim older face and greying hair.

Note: another article advised black hair which was greying.

 

[Canning Vale]

After looking for other attempted abductions within the general area the media advised these two, which sparked my interest:

2006 (Aug) - 9-year-old boy – Leda WA

Leda is a suburb located approx. 7.5kms east of Rockingham

Police advised the boy was walking home from school about 3pm when a white Camry sedan stopped in the bus lane and a man yelled at the nine year-old to "get in the car". Police say the man was aged in his 20s with long blonde hair.
Another four men were believed to be in the car. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-08-04/police-seek-men-over-attempted-abduction/1230368


2015 (May) - 10-year-old boy – Port Kennedy (Note: that's two incidents in Port Kennedy)

Port Kennedy is a short distance south of Rockingham

A10-year-old boy from Port Kennedy Primary School was approached by a couple as he walked home from school on Tuesday.
A light-coloured sedan pulled up next to the boy and a woman leant out the window to offer him lollies before trying to entice him into the vehicle. https://thewest.com.au/news/australia/port-kennedy-predator-alert-ng-ya-200333

Facebook has dedicated forums for anyone that’s interested in having a look. I’m not permitted to upload that information.

 

[Canning Vale]

Regarding the three attempted abductions Port Kennedy & Leda

2006 (Aug) - 9-year-old boy – Leda WA

Boy walking home from school when a white Camry sedan stopped and yelled "get in the car". Perpetrator described as 20s with long blonde hair. Another four men believed to be in the car. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-08-04/police-seek-men-over-attempted-abduction/1230368

2008 (Nov) - 12-year-old boy – Port Kennedy

Vehicle described as white, late-model 4WD with a silver bull bar, black door handles, black rear bumper and black fabric spare-wheel cover. Man described as 40s or 50s, slim older face and black greying hair. http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/attempted-abduction-of-boy-in-port-kennedy-20081124-6fnm.html

2015 (May) - 10-year-old boy – Port Kennedy

Vehicle described as a *white or light-coloured sedan. Approached by a couple after school, when from the car a woman offered lollies to the boy. * Another article advised a white sedan. [SUB]https://thewest.com.au/news/australia/port-kennedy-predator-alert-ng-ya-200333[/SUB]

 

[Canning Vale]

With regard to the witness description of a faded maroon or brown station wagon. Perhaps it was a Toyota Corolla. Toyota has a range of brown/maroon coloured vehicles. Perhaps it was a chestnut colour.

Two men seen struggling to get a boy into a faded maroon or brown station wagon.

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiI1_nqltLYAhUBOpQKHX9iCr4QFgg9MAY&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2017-01-17%2Fgerard-ross-murder-cold-case-timeline%2F8187904&usg=AOvVaw3yFmdiFrDujBAxx6x7Augv
https://www.google.com.au/search?

biw=1366&bih=643&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=z5VYWvm1Ccat0ATku7LYBQ&q=maroon+toyota+%22station+wagon%22&oq=maroon+toyota+%22station+wagon%22&gs_l=psy-ab.3...13924.15927.0.16605.7.7.0.0.0.0.405.1035.3-2j1.3.0....0...1c.1.64.psy-ab..4.1.401...0i13k1.0.AJtx0k9oMPU#imgrc=A2vdjGZ6NVGMzM:&spf=1515755069826

 

[Canning Vale]

Below is the last sample post of a maroon/brown station wagon.

https://www.google.com.au/search?bi...copM:&imgrc=l6eU5iOB1bL0cM:&spf=1515761506411

 

[Canning Vale]

Abduction and attempted abductions near the Rockingham area Port Kennedy & Leda

1997 (Aug) - 11-year-old boy – Name unknown - Rockingham
Beige or cream sedan. At Kent St, Rockingham (near the library) driver offered boy a lift.
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...-gtsvgh.html&usg=AOvVaw2BQGPansWeNn3Sri8UzvzT

1997 (Oct) - 11-year-old boy – Gerard Ross - Rockingham
Faded maroon or brown station wagon. Two men seen struggling to get a boy into a station wagon (both mid-30s one fair headed the other black hair). Gerard was walking along Kent St, Rockingham (near No. 99)
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&r...-gtsvgh.html&usg=AOvVaw2BQGPansWeNn3Sri8UzvzT

2006 (Aug) - 9-year-old boy – Leda WA
White sedan (Camry). Perpetrator described as 20s with long blonde hair. Another four men believed to be in the car.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-08-04/police-seek-men-over-attempted-abduction/1230368

2008 (Nov) - 12-year-old boy – Port Kennedy
White 4WD (late model). Perpetrator described as 40s or 50s, slim older face and black greying hair.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/attempted-abduction-of-boy-in-port-kennedy-20081124-6fnm.html

2015 (May) - 10-year-old boy – Port Kennedy
White or light-coloured sedan. Couple involved (female offered lollies).
https://thewest.com.au/news/australia/port-kennedy-predator-alert-ng-ya-200333

 

[elastic]

Ill be honest. This case haunts me. I wish the police would provide more detail than just the hat, and also a bit more detail on whether the dog was involved or just a red herring (dog fibres found on Ross , yet with todays scientific advances they never identified the breed ffs). It would be good to know the version of events Mark McGowen (our current premier) was privvy too as it would allow us to get a good view on what may have happened. Its frustrating that they reported this version of events without going into any detail.

There were 3 scenarios the police originally believed and investigated.

The guy from Newman (apparently cleared)

The guy with the Aeroplanes in his house and toy model's

The guy with a blood stained wall (evidence destroyed by chemical cleaners) and also happened to be in the same house as a previous murder on the front lawn

However one suspects there is a 4th scenario McGowen knows about which we (the public) dont know about.

Also given that the Claremont killer was discovered working with kids and used to take clothing from his victims, he cannot be ruled out (especially as the timeline fits like a glove).. Bradley Edwards.

Given just how much detail are in the Port Kennedy abduction attempts I am totally shocked the perps / and or Perp wasn't captured. The police must be smoking some good stuff to let those slip, or let our Perp fall off the radar given the publicity around the Gerard Ross case. Keystone? Hate using the term but it seems to be.

Amazing that when myself and papertrail embarked on identifying historical sex/murder/home invasion offenders in the Claremont case they found Bradley Edwards within the year. Papertrail where are you?

 

[Canning Vale]

I agree with the abduction fitting in with the CSK timeline. Could it be possible after the two CSK killings, the CSK had a break-down and spent some time at the lodge which is slightly north of Kent St. The witness who mentioned the faded maroon/brown station wagon, described the two men aged in their mid-30s. One fair-headed the other with dark hair. Could it be possible the fair-headed man was staying at the lodge too.

These are only my thoughts and opinions.

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjo6ZGpsNfYAhXGzbwKHQ7iAkEQFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2017-01-17%2Fgerard-ross-murder-cold-case-timeline%2F8187904&usg=AOvVaw3yFmdiFrDujBAxx6x7Augv

 

[elastic]

I agree with the abduction fitting in with the CSK timeline. Could it be possible after the two CSK killings, the CSK had a break-down and spent some time at the lodge which is slightly north of Kent St. The witness who mentioned the faded maroon/brown station wagon, described the two men aged in their mid-30s. One fair-headed the other with dark hair. Could it be possible the fair-headed man was staying at the lodge too.

These are only my thoughts and opinions.

http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjo6ZGpsNfYAhXGzbwKHQ7iAkEQFggpMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2F2017-01-17%2Fgerard-ross-murder-cold-case-timeline%2F8187904&usg=AOvVaw3yFmdiFrDujBAxx6x7Augv

It could even be possible that the attempted abductions and Gerard Ross abduction are unrelated.

Given Bradley Edwards was an opportunist, and has form abducting girls from off the street, he could have just been in the area, or down at his Parents Madora bay home and just up in Rockingham for the day and saw the perfect opportunity.

Rumour has it Gerard wasn't raped, so the killer may have wanted to feel what it was like to kill a child after killing 2 females prior to this abduction and decided to follow through.

The dump location is eerily similar to the others, in a very similar location. I always wondered if Sarah Spiers was dumped or burried in this area too, or around the two salt lakes on Old Mandurah road. So it seems to fit his profile very well.

If a paedophile had taken Ross I'm sure he would have atleast sodomised the poor child. A ligature was found around Gerards neck, usually that means serial killer, paedophiles have form using their hands to strangle their victims to death after rape or sodomy.

To think Bradley was hanging around kids when he was arrested though, very suspicious. Maybe he felt some guilt after the murder, or maybe he always wanted another victim and never got a decent opportunity.

Or if Bradley Edwards isnt the guy, the paedophile may have panicked and dumped the body out of fear of being caught with it in his posession.

Otherwise it could be the Police arent being honest and Gerard was raped and have kept this detail secret from the public for some reason, maybe to lessen the fear, or maybe to keep some of the sordid details for the perpetrator they eventually catch. Seems stupid as revealing this detail significantly narrows down whether the offender is a paedophile or serial killer.

 

[Canning Vale]

Elastic,

I’m unable to reply with quote. Many thanks for the lengthy post – most informative.

I keep asking myself, why drive along Kent St – that’s not a main arterial. It makes sense two people performed the abduction. Perhaps the driver travelled to pick up the second person, who lived near Kent St – someone who was easily led and sadly the pair just happened to pass young Gerard whilst he was walking along. Perhaps someone was picked up, on route to Madora Bay.

I’d think the more submissive abductor would have a conscience and deeply regret the incident. I’ve checked the missing and murdered website, in case the accomplice went missing, in the months afterwards, but there’s no one except for a male who’s aged 24 (not mid-30s as described by the witness).

These are only my thoughts and opinions.

 

[Exact]

Below is a link to a News.com article which is quite informative - 2013. It mentions other incidents of attempted abductions. The article took me ages to locate.

An old TV news report mentions an altercation between two people in the street Gerard disappeared from, on the morning he vanished. They were driving a faded brown or maroon station wagon. Note: Kent St, is a considerable length and has a few shops at the opposite end of where the Ross family were staying.

At the time Detective Sergeant Mike Miller said there had been reports, in the prior couple of years, of kids being stopped and attempts being made to get them into cars.

http://www.news.com.au/national/no-killer-no-clues-and-no-inquest-into-the-murder-of-gerard-ross/news-story/ffa2593bff68924e5f51912d5516f518

Great detective work. The people fighting sound fishy to me, and all the abduction attempts. This crime is just so appalling it's very hard to accept no arrest. I hope for a miracle for the family.

 

[Canning Vale]

It might prove advantageous to look elsewhere for similar crimes. Perhaps the perpetrator/s left WA and went interstate or overseas. I’ll also look at attempted abductions and abductions of boys who were similar ages and provide feedback in due course.

Does anyone have any thoughts into the possibility of someone who travels and visited WA during October 1997. Such as the navy, a circus, festivals or a show.

Please let me know if you have any ideas.

 

[Bohemian]

It might prove advantageous to look elsewhere for similar crimes. Perhaps the perpetrator/s left WA and went interstate or overseas. I’ll also look at attempted abductions and abductions of boys who were similar ages and provide feedback in due course.

Does anyone have any thoughts into the possibility of someone who travels and visited WA during October 1997. Such as the navy, a circus, festivals or a show.

Please let me know if you have any ideas.

I don’t know of a specific individual such as you describe but the MAKO Files may be of some help:

http://mako.org.au/temp_a.html

 

[Mo Joe]

It might prove advantageous to look elsewhere for similar crimes. Perhaps the perpetrator/s left WA and went interstate or overseas. I’ll also look at attempted abductions and abductions of boys who were similar ages and provide feedback in due course.


Does anyone have any thoughts into the possibility of someone who travels and visited WA during October 1997. Such as the navy, a circus, festivals or a show.

Please let me know if you have any ideas.

The missing Tasmanian boy was at a similar time of the year. School holidays as well.
IIRC Mr Cruel Victoria may have acted during the school holidays as well? Perhaps it was a school teacher (or someone else who got school holidays off)?

 

[Canning Vale]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-...-killer-denies-link-to-missing-wa-boy/5805928

 

[Canning Vale]

Australian & NZ boys who have been abducted:

2015 – Mike Beckenridge – aged 9 – New Zealand (Asian)
2003 – Daniel Morcombe – aged 13 – Sunshine Coast Qld (Caucasian)
1997 – Gerard Ross – aged 11 – WA (Caucasian)
1993 - Craig Taylor - aged 9 – Tasmania (Caucasian)
1987 - Paddy Hildbrande – aged 9 – Victoria (Caucasian)
1982 – Bradford Pholi – aged 10 – NSW (indigenous)
1975 – Terry Floyd – aged 12 – Vic (Caucasian)
1974 – James (Jimmy) Taylor – aged 12 – WA (indigenous)

 

[Bohemian]

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-...-killer-denies-link-to-missing-wa-boy/5805928

Further reading:

http://mobile.abc.net.au/news/2014-...-linked-to-jimmy-taylor-disappearance/5802712