Retrospect: The Newcastle beach murders// Alex Rees and Ray Hill

On a warm summer's night in January 1970, two lovers were brutally killed as they parked at a beach

in Newcastle, Australia. At the time police came up with two motives for the murders. Was this crime

committed by a sexual deviant, prowling the beach that night for a likely victim? Or was it personal,

and a crime born of jealousy and resentment? The case remains unsolved and in the years that

followed, there were no similar crimes that pointed to a serial killer. The murders of Alex Rees and

Raymond Hill are however reminiscent of an American murderer who had been wreaking havoc in

California, in the 2 years prior to 1970. Could Australia have potentially had its own copycat Zodiac

killer? 

“At some time between 1:30 and 2 a.m., an hour and a half to two hours

after Ray and Alex had arrived at the esplanade, a man parked close to

the area woke up from a nap. He had been sleeping in his car, in an

attempt to sober up before getting back on the road. As he turned on his

car radio, he heard a sound that shattered the still night air. It was the

sound of two gunshots fired in quick succession.”

GALLERY

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