BRINGING THE CLAREMONT KILLER TO JUSTICE

A new book shares more horrific details from the case

- Emma Babbington

It took more than two decades for the families and friends of the Claremont serial killer’s victims to learn what happened to their loved ones. Last December, they finally had some closure when Bradley Edwards was handed a 40-year sentence that will likely see him die in prison.

Perth newspaper editor Bret Christian’s book Stalking Claremont: Inside The Hunt For A Serial Killer covers what became Australia’s longest and most expensive murder investigation and eventual court case. He recalls the charged atmosphere in court when the victims’ families heard the judge’s ruling.

“You could cut it with a knife,” Bret tells Woman’s Day. “Most people were expecting guilty verdicts but it was still a massive moment.”

After evading detection for years, the 52-year-old former Telstra technician was found guilty of the murders, in 1996 and 1997, of Jane Rimmer, 23, and Ciara Glennon, 27, plus two earlier sex attacks.

“But the relatives will never recover from it – even catching Edwards and seeing him sentenced, it doesn’t take away the pain or bring their daughters back,” says Bret.