A coroner’s investigation into the 1978 murders of three friends while on a motorcycle holiday is making significant progress, with extensive evidence being gathered for upcoming hearings. The victims—Karen Edwards, 23, Tim Thomson, 31, and Gordon Twaddle, 21—set out from Alice Springs with their dog for Mount Isa on 2 October. Tragically, they were later discovered shot dead in a remote area at Spear Creek, located 12 kilometres from Mount Isa.
Queensland Coroner David O’Connell recently received an update regarding the inquest into the deaths, set to commence hearing sessions in October. Counsel assisting the coroner, Amelia Hughes, indicated that the involved parties would receive a comprehensive brief of evidence and witness list next month. She highlighted the ongoing nature of the investigation, which continues to uncover critical information.
Edwards’ family, along with her sister, followed the proceedings remotely during the coroner’s pre-inquest conference. Thomson and Twaddle, childhood friends from New Zealand with a shared love for motorcycling, were accompanied by Edwards, who was Thomson’s girlfriend. The trio had plans to travel to Melbourne for Christmas after passing through Cairns. Their last known sighting was leaving Moondarra Caravan Park in Mount Isa on 5 October 1978 in a brown-and-white Toyota Landcruiser, along with an unidentified man.
To aid in solving this cold case, Queensland police renewed a $250,000 reward in 2019 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the murders. In April 2019, a former NSW prison guard named Bruce John Preston was charged in connection with the case but was granted bail in early 2020. However, all charges against him were dropped by Crown prosecutors in July 2023.
The inquest is scheduled to take place over nine days at the Brisbane Coroners Court, beginning on 7 October, and will conclude just days before the 47th anniversary of the discovery of the victims’ bodies. The community and family members hope this inquest may finally shed light on the tragic events that occurred all those years ago.