Australian Serial Killer Ivan Milat’s Family Alleges Police Cover-Up, Demands Fresh Probe
The family of notorious serial killer Ivan Milat has made public claims that he was framed for the Belanglo backpacker murders, allegations that emerge as the New South Wales government considers launching a new parliamentary inquiry into the killer and dozens of unresolved cold cases.
Premier Chris Minns this week said he would not rule out a fresh probe, following a push from an Upper House MP who has accessed previously unreleased police files.
The prospect of a new inquiry was raised after NSW Upper House MP Jeremy Buckingham used parliamentary procedures to obtain police records detailing 58 missing persons cases once considered potentially connected to Milat.
The list of cases reportedly stretches back decades and spans multiple states.
In response, Premier Chris Minns stated this week that a parliamentary inquiry “may be the necessary next step” and that he would be willing to meet with the families of victims.
Family Alleges Police Cover-Up
Coinciding with the political developments, Milat’s family has renewed its efforts to clear his name, six years after his death from cancer in prison in 2019.
His nephew, Alistair Shipsey, has released a book alleging that his uncle was framed and that police ignored a key lead involving a kombi van allegedly seen with two of the victims.
Mr. Shipsey claims the arrest in 1994 was a cover-up to avoid a national scandal ahead of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. Milat’s sister-in-law, Carol Milat, also stated that the convicted killer maintained his innocence to her on his deathbed.
These claims stand in contrast to the evidence that led to Milat’s 1996 conviction for the murders of seven backpackers and hitchhikers in the Belanglo State Forest between 1989 and 1992.
The police case against him was built on physical evidence, including personal belongings of the victims and weapons consistent with their injuries found at his home.
Furthermore, the former detective who led the investigation, Clive Small, has previously stated that Milat admitted his guilt to his mother before her death in 2001.