Queensland Homicide detectives have today arrested and charged a 59-year-old man for the 1996 murder of Brisbane tradie, Gregory Thurlow. The Burpengary East man is in custody charged with one count of murder and is expected to appear in Brisbane Magistrates Court today. His arrest follows a six-month investigation by Homicide’s Cold Case Investigation Team in conjunction with Brisbane Region and a renewed public appeal for information. Gregory Thurlow was last seen in the late evening hours of October 1 1996 into the early morning hours of October 2 1996, leaving a Bray Park residence in a green 1980 VC Holden Commodore sedan. Investigations have revealed the vehicle with Gregory and a male associate believed to be the vehicle owner, stopped along Anzac Avenue on the night of his disappearance. Police will allege 27-year-old Gregory was killed at Scarborough, or elsewhere in Queensland, shortly after the vehicle was seen parked along Anzac Avenue, Mango Hill. As part of the investigation, witnesses were re-interviewed, forensic exhibits re-examined and a search completed of an area of interest near Mango Hill. Investigators confirmed new information was received after a billboard was placed on Anzac Avenue last month, along with targeted Facebook posts in the region encouraging people with information to come forward. “We received valuable information from the public during our recent appeal that helped us advance this investigation.” “While today’s arrest is significant, we are continuing to appeal to people who may have information about Greg’s death and who may have been reluctant to come forward earlier to do so now,” said Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell of the Homicide Cold Case Investigation. A $500,000 reward remains on offer for information that leads to the conviction of the person, or persons, found to be responsible for Gregory’s murder. In addition to the reward, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the crime, who first gives such information. If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day. |