Homicide investigators have revealed new information has come to light in relation to two 24-year-old cold case murders, helping identify two men drawn in police computer-generated facial composite images.
Iain Hogg, of Currumbin on the Gold Coast, is believed to have been murdered in March 2002, with his red Toyota Celica then used in the separate and unrelated murder of Frederick Hugh Rosson at Mt Nathan days later.
In 2002 police made computer-generated facial composite images of the suspects, known as comfits, from witness accounts.
After a reinvestigation in 2022 – involving detectives from Burleigh, the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team and NSW police – new information was gathered in relation to the identities of two men similar in description to the comfit images.
Cold case investigation team Detective Sergeant Scott Chapman appealed for people in the community to come forward if they knew the men in the images.
A $1m reward has been offered for information leading to convictions in the murders, with indemnities offered for accomplices who did not murder the men.
“We are asking the community to take a moment to look at these images,” Sgt Chapman said.
“Someone may recognise or know these men or remember something that seemed insignificant at the time but now could be important.
“Twenty-four years have passed, and relationships and loyalties change.
“People who may once have been afraid to speak may no longer feel that way. It is never too late to come forward.”
Mr Hogg, 45, was last seen driving his red Toyota Celica into his home at Sanctuary Lakes Apartments, Teemangum St, Currumbin Beach, in the afternoon of March 10, 2002.
A witness said three or four men in a white sedan, armed with weapons and hanging out of the car, followed his Celica into the car park and shouted threats at Mr Hogg when he drove in.
The witness said the white car – described as either a 1982 Ford Laser/Meteor sedan or a 1986 Toyota Corona sedan – chased Mr Hogg’s red Celica from the direction of Tugun, along Teemangum St.
Investigators believe Mr Hogg’s car was driven to the car park near the Volunteer Marine Rescue Boat pontoon on the northern bank of Tweed River in Coral Street, Tweed Heads, the next day between 1am and 3am NSW time.
He is believed to have been shot and dumped in the river, however his body has never been found.
Four days after Mr Hogg was last seen, Frederick Hugh Rosson, also known as Charles ‘Slim’ Johnson, 67, was murdered after he was shot at Mt Nathan.
A red Toyota Celica with two men was seen driving to his home before his murder.
Mr Rosson had advertised the sale of his 9mm CZ handgun in the Trading Post. The gun and ammunition were stolen from his home at 22 Pademelon Pass.
The red Celica was found dumped in Palm Beach on March 20, 2002.
Detectives do not believe either Mr Hogg or Mr Rosson knew each other and neither were involved in any criminal activity.
Police have appealed for anyone with information about the white Ford Laser or Toyota Corona with three to four men chasing Mr Hogg’s Celica around the Tugun and Currumbin areas in the late afternoon of March 10, 2002, to speak to investigators.
Mr Rosson’s granddaughter Catherine said she was 17 when he was murdered and his death had impacted her family significantly.
Her grandfather, who enjoyed sporting shooting, was a gentle man who was quiet and funny, with a dry humour.
“A lot of my family have passed away and I’ve always been really passionate about getting some kind of answer and some kind of closure,” Catherine said.
“Most of the times there’s a reason you know you see things like druggies or you know, bikie crime, things happen and they’re all connected.
“They’ve exposed themselves and they put themselves at risk by getting involved with that.
“Well, my granddad, the only thing he did was advertise in the Trading Post.”
Mr Hogg’s family said: “Iain’s elderly mother died never knowing who killed her only son. Our family still hope for a person or persons to be brought to justice.
“We ask that anyone who has information about Iain’s murder to come forward.”
Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000