Yoni Bashan
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/bikies-link-to-murders/story-fn6e0s1g-1226000734963
New clues: Photo of Karen Ann Gilbody, who went missing in 1991. Supplied by Police Media. Source: The Sunday Telegraph
POLICE have reopened the cold-case files of two women who went missing in the early 1990s. Investigators are now certain the women were murdered in a double homicide.
The State Government will today announce a $100,000 reward for information leading to an arrest over the disappearance of close friends Karen Gilbody, 29, and Valerie Hall, 41, in southwest Sydney.
Ms Gilbody was last seen by her boyfriend on July 2, 1991 -- one day shy of her 30th birthday -- at the home they shared in Avoca St, Yagoona.
A day later, Ms Hall, 41, intended to travel to the same address from her Belmore home, although police do not know whether she arrived.
Both women were reported missing by family members later that month and neither has been heard from since.
Investigators have been told the women had links to a group known as the Highway 61 Motorcycle Club, which was active in the area at the time of their disappearance.
The gang, which has several chapters in Australia, is the largest outlaw group in New Zealand and has been linked to a number of incidents involving drugs and violence.
Superintendent Ian Dixon, of Campsie police, told The Sunday Telegraph the fact the women were friends and went missing within a day of each other was highly suspicious.
"Because of those circumstances, we're certain they've been murdered," Supt Dixon said.
"These girls were good friends and went missing about the same time -- there has to be somebody whom police have spoken to who knows more than we currently know."
Detectives believe witnesses may have been reluctant to come forward at the time because they feared being intimidated by members of the Highway 61 gang.
"Try and give us a new lead, a new angle or some new information," Superintendent Dixon said.
On January 25, detectives returned to the house at Yagoona, seizing a number of items as part of their inquiry.
A key person of interest was identified by officers at the time, but his whereabouts are unknown.
