A woman who embedded herself in the life of a murder suspect to investigate the 1989 death of 15-year-old Annette Mason has testified that her actions were a “reckless” attempt to solve the cold case. The testimony was delivered during a one-day hearing in Brisbane for the long-running inquest into the teenager’s death, which remains unsolved more than three decades later.
The Investigation and the “Reckless” Plan
The witness, whose identity is suppressed for legal reasons, told Queensland coroner Terry Ryan that she became obsessed with true crime podcasts and media coverage regarding the Toowoomba murder. According to her testimony, she sought out a suspect in the case, eventually transitioning from a friendship into a romantic relationship to gain access to potential information.
Under questioning by the Mason family’s barrister, Clem van der Weegen, the woman admitted she was attempting to solve the murder independently. “I know that it is a big risk and I know my life could have been ended any time but I just took it in my own hands,” she told the court. She claimed that while they lived together, the suspect disclosed details about the murder, including that the victim was “bashed before she got to the house” and subsequently struck in the head.
Did you know?
Annette Mason was found dead in her bed in November 1989. The cause of death was identified as blunt force trauma to the head, inflicted with a piece of timber retrieved from the laundry of the home she shared with friends.
Suspect Denies Allegations
The suspect, who also cannot be named, appeared at the hearing and dismissed the woman’s claims as false. He testified that their association was merely a friendship and described the woman as a “nutcase.” When asked about the specific allegations regarding the murder, he stated, “absolutely not,” and insisted he had no knowledge of why she would make such claims.
The woman’s testimony included an allegation that the suspect blamed a “copper” for the death, claiming this was the reason evidence went missing. The suspect refuted these statements, maintaining his innocence throughout the proceedings. The inquest, which was initially closed in 1991 and reopened in 2018 following pressure from the Mason family, will now shift to receiving written submissions over the coming months.
The Rise of Amateur Sleuthing in Cold Cases
While podcasts and online communities have contributed to renewed public interest in cold cases, the case of Annette Mason highlights the risks associated with civilian intervention.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who was Annette Mason? Annette Mason was a 15-year-old girl who was murdered in Toowoomba, Queensland, in 1989.
- Has anyone been charged with the murder? No, there have been no charges laid in the death of Annette Mason to date.
- Why was the inquest reopened? The initial inquest was closed in 1991. It was reopened in 2018 following persistent advocacy from the victim’s family.
- What happens next in the inquest? The coroner will spend the coming months reviewing written submissions before reaching a final determination.
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