A man previously accused of a triple homicide in rural Queensland is currently testifying at a coronial inquest examining the deaths of three tourists nearly 50 years ago. The inquest, held in Brisbane, focuses on the tragic events surrounding the 1978 murders of Karen Edwards, 23, Timothy Thomson, 31, and Gordon Twaddle, 22, who were shot while traveling from Alice Springs to Melbourne.
The inquest has entered its second week, delving into the details of the victims’ deaths at Spear Creek, located north of Mount Isa. Bruce Preston, now 69, was arrested in connection with the case in 2019, but the prosecution was later withdrawn. During the proceedings, Preston admitted to stealing Thomson’s red motorcycle but denied any involvement in the murders.
In court, Preston’s recollection of the events in 1978 was scrutinized. David Cunningham, whose sister was murdered while hitchhiking in Queensland, expressed his desire for a commission of inquiry into the case. He provided evidence of his return to Mount Isa on October 11, 1978, following a motorcycle trip. However, counsel assisting the coroner, John Aberdeen, challenged this timeline, referencing witness statements that suggested Preston was in Mount Isa around October 4 or 5.
Preston denied attempts to alter his arrival date in order to distance himself from the timeline of the murders. He stated, “I spent 11 months incarcerated in an isolation cell, and I’ve spent the last few years doing nothing else but think about this case.” He admitted to struggling with precise dates due to the passage of time.
Coroner David O’Connell granted Preston indemnity, meaning his testimony could not be used against him in future legal proceedings. However, he cautioned Preston about the serious implications of providing false evidence. “I think you need to have a very good think about your evidence overnight, come back in the morning and answer things with a lot more conviction as to what is truthful,” O’Connell advised.
The inquest also examined testimonies from others connected to the case. Earlier on Tuesday, the court heard from Ian Preston, Bruce’s older brother. He was questioned about comments made by their deceased father, Arthur Preston, who allegedly expressed a belief that Bruce was involved in the murders. Ian stated he did not recall being instructed by his father to mislead police about Bruce’s whereabouts.
Merril Anderson, a neighbor of the Preston family in 1978, also testified, recalling the presence of the red BMW motorcycle in the Preston’s shed during the police investigation. She noted Arthur’s willingness to assist authorities in searching a nearby lake for evidence, which she found suspicious, suggesting he might have been obstructing the investigation.
The inquest continues, seeking to clarify the circumstances surrounding the tragic deaths of the three tourists and the potential involvement of Bruce Preston. As the investigation unfolds, the search for truth remains paramount for the families affected by these unsolved murders.
