Daughter of double murder victim in emotional new plea for answers

The daughter of a woman brutally murdered more than 25 years ago has made an emotional plea for answers over the tragedy.

The daughter of a woman brutally murdered more than 25 years ago has made an emotional plea for answers over the tragedy that shattered her childhood.

Susan Kay, 32, was one of two women whose bludgeoned bodies were discovered in a property in Doran St, Carrington, in Newcastle on Mother’s Day in 2000.

Despite the brutal discovery of her body, along with 37-year-old Joanne Teterin, police have never been able to solve the tragic mystery.

Now, as police ramp up efforts to solve the cold case, her daughter Ms Kays daughter Samantha has made an emotional plea for anybody with information to step forward.

“My mother was brutally taken from us on Mother’s Day, 2000. I was only nine years old when I was told the person I loved most in the world was never coming home,” she said.

“In an instant, my childhood was shattered. Every milestone, every birthday, every hard moment in life has been lived with the ache of her absence.

Susan Kay was killed in May 2000.
Susan Kay was killed in May 2000.
“While we have spent decades grieving, searching for answers and trying to rebuild what was broken, the person responsible has remained free.

“Someone, somewhere knows what happened to my mum. After all these years, we are simply asking for the truth so my mum can finally have justice and our family can finally have peace.”

Her calls were echoed by her aunt Desiree, Ms Kay’s sister, who said: “Susan is so much more than a news headline – she is a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt and she has grandsons and great nieces and nephews she never got to meet.

“She remains very much loved, often spoken about, and very much missed.

“We hope that today’s announcement makes the person responsible realise that this has not gone away, that it will never go away, and that there will never be a time they can relax.”

Police announced renewed efforts to solve the case on Monday – placing a huge reward on information that helps solve the case.

Previously, NSW Police had offered $100,000 in exchange for any information that leads to a conviction.

But now, investigators have increased this reward tenfold, offering a staggering $1m for information that helps crack the case.

Joanne Teterin’s body was found with Ms Kay’s.
Joanne Teterin’s body was found with Ms Kay’s.
“Our police do not walk away from cases like this. Detectives have spent years chasing every lead, revisiting every detail and refusing to let these women become forgotten victims and today’s reward is a clear message that this investigation is far from over,” NSW Police Minister Yasmine Catley said.

“Someone out there knows something – it might be a conversation they overheard, something they saw years ago or detail they never thought mattered, but it could be the missing piece police need.”

Homicide squad commander Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said the two women “were taken from their families in the most violent way”.

“Over that period, detectives have continued to review material, re-test exhibits and pursue new lines of inquiry – avenues that have only become possible with the passage of time,” he said.

“We’re now hoping that same passage of time may encourage someone to come forward with new information.”

The bodies of both women were found on May 17, 2000, with police believing at the time they had last been seen alive on Thursday, May 11.

An inquest into their deaths three years later recommended that the matter be investigated by NSW Police’s unsolved homicide unit.

This review, which was finalised last year, “unearthed fresh forensic opportunities that have since become focus of police inquiries”.

The $1m reward has been unveiled as part of renewed efforts from the force to solve the 26-year mystery.

Anyone with information about the murders is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or

Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

cre: https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/crime/major-update-in-brutal-newcastle-double-murder-cold-case-as-cops-offer-1m-reward/news-story/ace35cbdb4ece2679be8661eb50e4c32