Initial Scene Report - Discovery of Deceased Female, Silverton

Police Incident Report

NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE FORCE
INCIDENT REPORT

REPORT NUMBER: IR88-0922-001
STATION: Broken Hill Police Station
DATE OF REPORT: 22 September 1988
TIME OF REPORT: 15:47 hours
REPORTING OFFICER: Constable David Brennan (Badge 4427)
SUPERVISING OFFICER: Sergeant Barry Leonard Glasson (Badge 2891)

INCIDENT TYPE: Suspicious Death / Homicide
INCIDENT LOCATION: Rear of derelict Mercantile Store building, Loftus Street, Silverton, NSW
DATE/TIME OF INCIDENT: Unknown (body discovered 22 September 1988, 14:30 hours approx.)
WEATHER CONDITIONS: Clear, warm, approx. 26°C

INITIAL REPORT

At 14:47 hours on 22 September 1988, Broken Hill Police Station received a telephone call from Mr Raymond James Mitchell (DOB 15/3/1921, residing Silverton) reporting the discovery of a deceased female person near the abandoned Mercantile Store building, Loftus Street, Silverton.

Caller stated he had been prospecting in the area and come across what he believed to be a human body positioned amongst rock formations behind the building. Caller confirmed he had not touched or disturbed the scene and was waiting at the Silverton Hotel.

Constable David Brennan and Constable Graham Foster were dispatched immediately, arriving on scene at 15:12 hours. Sergeant Barry Glasson was notified and arrived at 15:38 hours.

SCENE DESCRIPTION

Location Details:
The scene is located approximately 30 metres behind (north-west of) the abandoned two-storey stone Mercantile Store building at the corner of Loftus and Layard Streets, Silverton. The area consists of natural rock formations, sparse vegetation (primarily spinifex grass and small saltbush), and scattered mining debris dating to the early 1900s.

Body Position and Condition:
The deceased was located amongst a natural grouping of sandstone boulders, positioned in a seated posture with her back resting against the largest boulder (approx. 1.8m height).

The body was arranged with both arms extended outward from the torso at approximately 45-degree angles, palms facing upward. The head was tilted back against the rock surface, face directed toward the sky. Both legs were extended straight ahead, ankles crossed left over right.

The positioning appeared deliberate and staged. There were no indicators of natural collapse or movement following death. The arrangement suggested the deceased had been carefully placed in this position post-mortem.

Clothing and Personal Effects:

• Deceased was fully clothed
• Wearing: Blue denim jeans, white cotton shirt (long-sleeved), brown leather boots, brown leather belt
• No jewellery observed
• No personal effects present at immediate scene
• Clothing appeared clean and relatively undisturbed, inconsistent with body being dragged or moved roughly to location

Visible Injuries:

• Significant bruising and discolouration observed around neck region, consistent with ligature or manual strangulation (preliminary observation only)
• No other obvious trauma visible to clothed body
• Facial features showed signs of petechiae (small haemorrhages around eyes)
• Body showed moderate decomposition consistent with death having occurred 24-48 hours prior to discovery

Environmental Observations:

• Ground beneath and surrounding body appeared undisturbed
• No obvious drag marks, footprints, or disturbance patterns leading to or from the scene
• Light winds in area would have obscured any tracks within hours
• No items of interest immediately visible within 10-metre radius of body

IDENTIFICATION

Based on physical description, clothing, and recent missing persons report filed 15 September 1988 (MP88-0915-003), deceased is believed to be:

HARLOW, Sally Louise
DOB: 3 May 1957
Age: 31 years
Address: 47 Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW 2300
Reported Missing: 15 September 1988

Formal identification to be conducted by next of kin (mother - Brenda Margaret Harlow) following post-mortem examination.

WITNESS STATEMENT SUMMARY

MITCHELL, Raymond James
DOB: 15/3/1921
Address: 12 Burke Street, Silverton, NSW
Telephone: (080) 88 7342

Mr Mitchell provided statement at scene at 15:55 hours. Summary as follows:

• Mitchell was prospecting in area behind Mercantile Store, an area he has worked regularly for over 40 years
• Last visited this specific location approximately one week prior (15 September) with no unusual observations
• Approached rock formation area at approximately 14:25 hours today
• Initially observed what he thought was "rubbish or old swag" from distance of 20 metres
• Upon closer approach (within 5 metres), recognised it as a human body
• Did not approach closer or touch anything
• Immediately walked to Silverton Hotel (approx. 400 metres) and telephoned police at 14:47 hours
• Mitchell appeared genuinely distressed; statement deemed credible
• Mitchell stated: "The way she was sitting there... it wasn't right. Someone had put her like that, posed her up like a bloody statue."

Full formal statement to be taken at Broken Hill Police Station within 24 hours.

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION ACTIONS

Scene Security:

• Constable Foster remained at scene to maintain security and log all personnel
• Scene boundaries established 50 metres in all directions from body
• Access restricted to authorised personnel only
• No media or public access permitted

Notifications Made:

• 15:52 hours - Detective Senior Constable Kenneth Walsh, CIB Broken Hill, notified and responding
• 16:05 hours - Police Medical Officer Dr James Robertson notified, ETA 18:00 hours
• 16:12 hours - Government Medical Officer (Coroner) Dr Patricia Henshaw notified
• 16:20 hours - Forensic Services, Mildura Division, requested (ETA 23:00 hours this date)
• 16:35 hours - Inspector Harold Murphy, Area Commander, notified

Evidence Preservation:

• Scene photographed by Constable Brennan using station Polaroid camera (12 exposures)
• Detailed sketch diagram prepared by Constable Foster
• Weather forecast checked - no rain expected for 48 hours, minimal wind forecast
• Tarpaulin erected over immediate scene area to protect from elements and wildlife
• Scene to remain secured overnight pending arrival of forensic team

Initial Searches:

• Preliminary search of immediate area (50m radius) conducted by Constables Brennan and Foster
• No obvious evidence, weapons, or personal effects located
• More thorough search to be conducted in daylight 23 September with additional personnel

Related Investigation:

This incident is directly related to:

• Missing Persons Report MP88-0915-003 (HARLOW, Sally Louise)
• Items recovered 17 September 1988: journal, camera equipment, personal belongings found near abandoned mining shack 3km south-east of this location (evidence logged under case MP88-0915-003)

INVESTIGATIVE OBSERVATIONS - SGT GLASSON

The deliberate positioning of the deceased suggests several concerning factors:

1. The perpetrator spent significant time at the scene, indicating confidence they would not be disturbed
2. The arrangement appears symbolic or ritualistic in nature - body positioned as if in repose or display rather than concealed
3. Location choice (behind abandoned building, amongst rock formations) may be significant - provides natural "staging" area
4. Absence of victim's personal effects at scene suggests they were removed or retained by perpetrator
5. Time gap between disappearance (13 September) and estimated death (20-21 September) indicates victim may have been held alive for approximately 7-8 days
6. Clean clothing and lack of obvious disturbance inconsistent with outdoor captivity - suggests victim was held elsewhere and transported to this location post-mortem

The methodical nature of this crime and the victim's known research into historical disappearances in the region requires immediate review of:

• Historical missing persons cases in Silverton/Broken Hill area
• Any similar cases involving staged or posed bodies
• Content of victim's recovered journal regarding her investigation
• All persons victim had contact with during her three-week stay in Silverton

This incident may be connected to broader pattern of disappearances. Investigation to proceed as potential serial homicide.

ACTIONS REQUIRED

Immediate (within 24 hours):

• Formal identification by next of kin
• Complete forensic examination of scene
• Post-mortem examination (Adelaide)
• Formal statements from all witnesses
• Review of victim's recovered journal and research materials
• Interview all known contacts in Silverton

Short-term (within 7 days):

• Comprehensive background investigation of victim's activities
• Historical case review (cold cases, missing persons)
• Analysis of victim's photographic evidence
• Interview all Silverton residents regarding suspicious persons/vehicles
• Examination of abandoned buildings for potential holding location

Ongoing:

• Coordinate with CIB for major crime investigation protocols
• Media liaison (approved statements only)
• Community reassurance measures
• Review security arrangements for remaining investigation period

CASE STATUS: ACTIVE - HOMICIDE INVESTIGATION
ASSIGNED INVESTIGATOR: Sergeant Barry Leonard Glasson
NEXT REVIEW: 23 September 1988, 08:00 hours

REPORT COMPLETED BY:
Constable David Brennan (Badge 4427)
22 September 1988, 17:35 hours

REVIEWED AND APPROVED BY:
Sergeant Barry Leonard Glasson (Badge 2891)
22 September 1988, 18:10 hours

DISTRIBUTION:

• Original: Case File IR88-0922-001
• Copy: Detective Senior Constable K. Walsh, CIB
• Copy: Inspector H. Murphy, Area Commander
• Copy: Government Medical Officer (Coroner)