The brutal murders of Lorraine Wilson and Wendy Evans raise concerns of a serial killer known as the Gold Coast Hitchhiker murderer.
Seven men associated with the Hilton-Laurie gang are considered primary suspects in the murders, although no arrests or trials occur due to insufficient evidence.
Despite strong indications of Wayne Hilton's involvement in the killings, retracting statements and inconsistencies hinder achieving a definitive conclusion or holding anyone accountable.
Deep dives
The Mysterious Screams
Two police officers hear blood-curdling screams coming from the Yekarnavale youth camp, indicating the presence of at least two women in distress.
The Missing Nurses
Lorraine Wilson and Wendy Evans, two dedicated nurses, go missing after hitchhiking and their bodies are found in a remote location in Murphy's Creek, showing signs of brutal murders.
The Gold Coast Hitchhiker Connection
The murders of Lorraine and Wendy and a series of other unsolved murders of young women prompt speculation that a serial killer, known as the Gold Coast Hitchhiker murderer, may be responsible.
The Hilton-Laurie Gang
Seven men associated with the Hilton-Laurie gang are considered primary suspects in the murders. However, due to lack of sufficient evidence, no arrests or trials take place.
The Coroner's Findings
The coroner concludes that Wayne Hilton, a member of the Hilton-Laurie gang, was likely involved in the murders, but with many witnesses retracting statements and inconsistencies, there is not enough evidence to bring anyone to trial or achieve a definitive conclusion.
*** Content warning: Sexual assault *** When trainee nurses Lorraine Wilson and Wendy Evans failed to return to work in Sydney after a holiday around Australia in 1974, fears arose that they could have fallen victim to the so-called Gold Coast Hitchhiker Murderer. But when a discovery is made in the rural town of Murphy’s Creek years later, an even more disturbing possibility emerges...
