It was April 16, 1987 and Cowra police station was a hive of activity.
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Twelve detectives were assembled from the Homicide Squad Cowra, Forbes and Young to investigate the murders of two young women the previous day.
Catherine Holmes, 29, and Georgina Watmore, 23, were found in a house at 1 Jindalee Circuit about 1.15pm on Wednesday, April 15, 1987.
Holmes was deceased and Watmore barely alive when they were found.
Over the following weeks and months the detectives would interview more than 1200 people, seeking that one clue that would reveal the identity of the murderer.
According to a police resume of the investigation prepared for a Coronial Inquest into the murders both women worked at the Edgells cannery the day prior to their murders, completing their shifts just before 3.30pm.
That evening Georgina and Catherine dined at the Townhouse with Catherine’s two children and Catherine’s sister.
About 7pm Georgina and Cathy's sister went to the Lachlan Hotel. They were joined by Cathy a short time later.
After just over two hours at the Lachlan Georgina drove Catherine’’s sister home before rejoining Catherine at the Lachlan.
Over the next couple of hours the day drank and socialised with several people before leaving about midnight.
Police later identified and interviewed every patron present a the Lachlan Hotel on the night.
Georgina went to her place to pick up clothes, then the two returned to Catherine’s rented home at 1 Jindalee Circuit.
Police say as well as returning to Catherine’s with clothes for a sleep over, she returned with a small amount of marijuana.
The two were joined by another woman and three men at Catherine’s home.
All remained at the premises until about 1.45am when Catherine went to bed.
Georgina retired for the night at 1.55am.
Two members of the party left Jindalee Circuit shortly after. The final two partygoers left about 3.20am.
All were subsequently cleared of any involvement in the murders.
Screams heard by neighbours
About 3.30am a neighbour was woken by the sound of a piercing scream, followed by four or five further screams.
Another neighbour also told police of being woken by a loud scream but could not recall what time it was.
He says he also later heard the sound of a motor vehicle drive along Jindalee Circuit.
A third neighbour heard screams as well but couldn’t recall the time or what direction they had come from.
The bodies of the two women weren’t discovered until 1.15pm that day when a neighbour and a friend decided to go next door to wake Cathy.
After going to her bedroom window they heard what they believed was the sound of snoring, before peering through the window and seeing two bodies on the bed and what appeared to be blood on the curtains.
The two then ran to the rear of the home and entered through the back door.
Police reported that both the back door and screen door were open, the screen door locked open by the door closer.
In the bedroom they discovered the bodies of Catherine and Georgina and could hear gurgling noises.
When Cowra ambulance arrived they found Georgina alive.
They transported her to Cowra Hospital however on arrival she was found to be deceased.
Crime scene investigation
Detective Royds of the Homicide Squad conducted the initial investigation of the crime scene where he determined Catherine had suffered lacerations to the forehead and scalp and defensive wounds to the hands.
He later examined Georgina’s body and found she had severe lacerations to the mouth and right side of the head and minor defensive wounds to the back of her hands.
A search of the premises, yards and surrounding properties failed to locate the murder weapon.
Nothing had been stolen and there were no signs of forced entry.
Police determined the murderer entered Catherine’s home through the unlocked rear door and propped the wire-screen door open using the pneumatic door closer.
Tactical Response team conducts searches
In an effort to leave no stone unturned the NSW Police Tactical Response Group was called in to conduct a comprehensive canvas of the area.
On the weekend of April 17 and 18, 1987 a comprehensive canvas was conducted of Jindalee Circuit and surrounding areas.
A further canvas took place between late April and May 2.
The canvas included door knocking and a search for a murder weapon and any clothing which may have been discarded by the offender.
The search included all yards, properties, paddocks and drains in the vicinity of the crime scene.
The police also searched the grounds surrounding the Edgells Cannery and the Cowra Abattoir.
A search of employees lockers at both locations was also conducted.
The Police Diving Squad was also involved searching the Lachlan River and other wet areas.
Flow was stopped from Wyangala Dam to make the search easier.
Cowra’s tip and other dumping ground were searched and the homes and motor vehicles of suspects searched and tested for blood.
Police seized items of clothing, suspected murder weapons, plumbing from laundries and other items were also seized and tested by Scientific Police and experts on blood analysis.
Nothing was found.
