Homicide detectives are appealing for information into a suspected double murder on the Gold Coast more than 20 years ago after new evidence has been discovered.
Queensland Police had offered a $1 million reward in October to help officers solve the possible double murder of Currumbin man Iain Stewart Hogg, 45, and Mt Nathan man Frederick Hugh Rosson, also known as Slim Johnson, aged 67, in 2002.
Mr Hogg was reported missing by his mother on March 12, 2002, after he failed to turn up to work.
His body has never been found but police believe he met with foul play after fresh reports a vehicle similar to a white ford Laser sedan or a white Toyota Corona sedan was seen at Mr Hogg’s Sanctuary Lake Apartments in Teemangum St, Currumbin, around dusk on March 10, 2002.
On Monday, police renewed calls once more after a witness reported seeing the white sedan driving behind Mr Hogg’s red Toyota Celica into the underground carpark, with multiple men reportedly shouting threats of violence towards him.
“We can confirm we have received new information since our public appeal and combined reward announcement with NSW Police in October last year and we thank those people for coming forward,” Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Inspector Mark Mooney said.
Mr Hogg’s Celica was seen parked in a car park area near the Volunteer Marine Rescue Boat pontoon on the northern bank of Tweed River in Coral Street, Tweed Heads on March 11.
Witnesses told police they’d seen a number of people around the vehicle when a flash followed by a loud bang was observed, believed to be from the discharging of a firearm.
Police believe Mr Hogg’s body was placed into the water near the mouth of the Tweed River.
Four days after the last known sighting of Mr Hogg, on March 14, Mr Rosson was shot and murdered at his Pademelon Pass residence at Mt Nathan.
Police believe Mr Rosson was selling a 9mm CZ handgun, which had been advertised via the Trading Post classifieds.
He had been contacted by a man from the Coolangatta/Tweed Heads area inquiring about buying the firearm.
Police allege the handgun and ammunition was then stolen from the Mt Nathan property after the murder.
Witnesses have told police they saw two men driving a red Celica, believed to be Mr Hogg’s vehicle, visiting Mr Rosson at the time of his murder.
The red Celica vehicle was found by police abandoned in 15th Ave, Palm Beach on March 20, 2002.
Investigators were able to forensically link the vehicle to both offences.
Police believe both men were not linked or involved in any criminal activity and did not know each other.
A $500,000 reward remains in place for any information about the murder of Mr Rosson.
Detective Inspector Mooney said anyone with information is urged to contact police.
“A number of lines of inquiry are being examined, and while we cannot go into detail around investigative strategies, we are confident that information in relation to the white vehicle may be vital to solving Mr Hogg’s disappearance and the subsequent murder of Mr Rosson, whereby Mr Hogg’s red Toyota Celica is believed to have been used,” he said.
“We are continuing to conduct inquiries and appeal for anyone who may have information to make contact with us.’