Murder of Clare Morrison
Clare Morrison was a 13-year-old Australian girl who was murdered on 18 December 1992 in Geelong, Victoria.[1] Her near-naked body[2] was discovered by surfers early morning on 19 December near Bells Beach, bashed, strangled and shark-bitten. As of 2022, the murder remains unsolved.[3]
Murder of Clare Morrison | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1979 |
| Died | 18 December 1992 |
| Cause of death | Strangulation |
| Body discovered | Bells Beach, Victoria |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Student |
| Known for | Victim of unsolved murder |
Death
Morrison was last seen on the evening of 18 December in Geelong Mall telling her friend that she would take the bus home to get money for Christmas shopping. Some witnesses also claimed that she "appeared to be drunk."[4] The only lead the local police obtained was from 18-year-old Shane McLaren who reported that she was seen getting into a blue Commodore with two men. However, several months later, the police discovered that the report was false and McLaren was booked under perjury. Since the passing of one other suspect, McLaren, a self-confessed ice addict, remains the only suspect in Morrison's murder.[5]
Aftermath
The police announced a A$50,000 reward in exchange for any information related to the murder.[5]
In December 2017, Morrison's brother Andrew, in an interview with Geelong Advertiser, said, "I’ve only just been made aware that on the night they (Clare and friends) were all hanging around town, about eight of them, before they’ve nicked off in one car and all went to Point Addis. That’s where they were all meeting, at the cliff that overlooks Bell Beach. Clare didn’t leave with them though. It was dark and, at this time of year with daylight savings, they must’ve been there past 9pm or 10pm." He added, "My sister was found early in the morning and she must have been in the water a long time for her to be attacked by sharks if that’s true, so I’m thinking they’ve just missed seeing her, it’s a very small window. One of these people, they could be the one who breaks the case right open."[6]
References
- Turner, Laura (29 November 2017). "New Twist in the Schoolgirl Murder Australia Forgot". Nine.com.au. Retrieved 3 February 2022.
- Linley, Margaret (31 March 2014). "Portland double homicide among cold cases which affected Geelong". Geelong Advertiser. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- The Murder of 13-year-old Schoolgirl Clare Morrison: The Body on Bells Beach, retrieved 5 December 2019
- "Clare Morrison 1992 murder: New call for Clare, a quarter-century on". Geelong Advertiser. 27 November 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- Turner, Laura (29 November 2017). "New twist in the schoolgirl murder Australia forgot". 9 News. Retrieved 4 February 2019.
- Pearson, Erin (16 December 2017). "Fresh Push for New Clues. Cold Case: Brother Picks up Hunt for Sister's Killer". Geelong Advertiser (PressReader). Retrieved 4 February 2019.