Four more wanted over Prue’s murder, court hears


Russell St connection to Prue 'doesn't surprise me' (Video Thumbnail)
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Four more people are wanted in connection to the murder of 13-year-old schoolgirl Prue Bird 20 years ago, a court has heard today.

Police told the Melbourne Magistrates Court that three of those people were in custody but the fourth person remained at large and was likely interstate.

The comments came during a filing hearing for Leslie Camilleri, who last week was charged with Prue’s murder.

Police search an area at Flat Rock Creek in East Gippsland yesterday where, after receiving 'credible evidence', they believe the body of Prue Bird may be buried.

Police search an area at Flat Rock Creek in East Gippsland yesterday where, after receiving ‘credible evidence’, they believe the body of Prue Bird may be buried. Photo: Justin McManus

Prosecutor Luke Exell said that one of the three people in custody had been interviewed by police and investigators would seek to interview the others.

He said at least 10 witness statements had to be taken in relation to the account that Camilleri had given to police.

He said the brief of evidence when completed was expected to contain 100 witness statements, resulting in 10 volumes of evidence.

Prue Bird.

Prue Bird.

The Age today revealed police believe there could be a connection between Prue’s disappearance and the 1986 Russell Street bombing.

Mr Exell said there were also 120 witness statements taken by police in the early 1990s. Each of them will now have to be reviewed and efforts made to locate the witnesses who made them.

Mr Exell said the number of witness statements and the amount of evidence meant that the main police investigator required more time to finalise the brief.

It is to be served on Camilleri’s solicitors by May 9.

No application for bail was made and Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg remanded Camilleri to reappear to committal mention in June.

In a separate media conference, new Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton today said police were working with an eminent archaeologist at Flat Rock Creek, where they are excavating a site the size of a soccer pitch in a bid to find Prue’s remains.

Mr Ashton said there had been a number of ‘‘significant floods’’ at Flat Rock Creek and the area where police were digging could be widened.

Police are expected to remain at the site until at least the end of the week.

twitter This reporter is on Twitter: @adrianlowe

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