History
THE UNSOLVED MYSTERY OF THE BODY IN KANANOOK CREEK By Peter McCullough
O
ne hundred and sixty-four years have elapsed since the body of a woman was found in Kananook Creek. The press reports of the time were both confusing and spasmodic and the two key questions were never resolved: ‘Who was the woman in the creek?’ and ‘Who killed her?’ First Report Under the headline ‘Suspected Murder’ The Argus of 10 February, 1855 informed the residents of the colony of Victoria that "The Government have offered a reward of 100 pounds to anyone giving information as will lead to the conviction of the murderer of the woman whose dead body was found , on 10th ult., in the Canakoke Creek, about two miles and a half from the Frankston Hotel. The description of the body as published in the Government Gazette is as follows: ‘Much decomposed; height about 5 feet 4 inches; age 30 to 35; hole in the skull as if made by an ounce bullet.’" A Charge of Murder On Thursday 22 March, 1855 The Argus reported that John Davey had appeared in the District Police Court "…charged with the murder of his late wife." The account that follows is rather confusing: first we are informed that Davey had "again married",
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June 2019