On a May morning in 1997, outside Parramatta’s Parkroyal Hotel, Sydney, mother Kerry Whelan climbed into a car driven by a man she knew and was never seen again.
Her abductor and killer Bruce Burrell took the secrets of her death to his grave six years ago, along with the details regarding his 1995 killing of grandmother Dorothy Davis.
Missing, Presumed Dead by author Mark Tedeschi, lead prosecutor in the case against Burrell, has been released on the 25-year milestone of Kerry’s abduction and murder.
“Here was this beautiful woman who at 39 had this loving family with three children, who then disappears off the face of the earth,” Mark tells Woman’s Day.
“When police disclosed Burrell was not just their prime but only suspect, overnight he became the most hated man in Australia. The crime really shocked the nation.”
LAZY & ENTITLED
Burrell had endured financial problems for years, and after marrying his wife Dallas, relied on her and his father. He had previously been employed by Kerry’s husband, businessman Bernie Whelan, but proved so inept he was fired. Yet the former advertising executive still felt entitled to an easy life.
“Since he had been a youngster, Burrell had this sense that the universe owed him a living,” says Mark.
This story is from the August 29, 2022 edition of Woman's Day Australia.
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This story is from the August 29, 2022 edition of Woman's Day Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
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