UPDATE: A new inquest has just begun into the mysterious murders of three friends—Timothy Thomson, Karen Edwards, and Gordon Twaddle—who were found dead in October 1978 in Mt Isa, Queensland. Families of the victims packed the courtroom today, seeking answers nearly 50 years after the shocking discovery of their bodies, all with gunshot wounds to the head.
The inquest, which is expected to run until October 17, 2023, aims to uncover the circumstances surrounding the trio’s deaths. Eyewitness testimony reveals that just weeks before their tragic end, they had embarked on a motorcycle trip from Alice Springs to Cairns and planned to be back in Melbourne by Christmas. This trip, however, was marred by a series of unsettling incidents, including the shooting of Thomson’s dog, Tristie, raising alarm about his safety.
Thomson, 31, was working at the Hermannsburg Mission and earning $500 a month teaching Indigenous children when he first expressed concerns about his dog’s safety. Witnesses reported seeing him in a Toyota Landcruiser shortly before he left the mission, suggesting troubling associations leading up to the trip.
The group was last seen at the Moondarra Caravan Park in Mt Isa, where they stayed for two nights. Witnesses noted seeing them leave in a Toyota Landcruiser, which later raised questions during the investigation. Notably, a dog matching Tristie’s description was found at the Mt Isa dump shortly after, intensifying the search for answers.
In a shocking twist, a man who interacted with the group described seeing them potentially under the influence of drugs during their stop at the Aileron Hotel. This revelation adds layers of complexity to the inquest, as investigators seek to determine the events leading up to their deaths.
The case had seen a brief resurgence in 2019 when former prison guard Bruce John Preston was arrested for the murders; however, prosecutors dropped all charges against him in July 2023. Preston is now expected to provide testimony during the ongoing inquest, leaving many to speculate about the true story behind the tragic fate of Thomson, Edwards, and Twaddle.
Authorities are calling for any new evidence or sightings related to the group during their final journey. As the inquest unfolds, families and loved ones remain hopeful for closure after decades of uncertainty surrounding this tragic case. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
