Fresh Sophie Toscan murder breakthrough hopes as US experts ‘praying' DNA tests on bloodstains will solve killer mystery
A specialist team from the
Advertisement
5
Sophie was battered and left to die at the gateway to her holiday home
Credit: AFP - Getty
5
The murder took place on December 23, 1996, at this house near Schull in Cork
Credit: AFP - Getty
5
Self-proclaimed suspect Ian Bailey died last year
Credit: AFP or licensors
The mum-of-one was battered and left to die at the gateway to her holiday home on December 23, 1996, near Schull in Co
Although self-proclaimed suspect Ian Bailey was arrested, he was never charged and always denied any involvement.
Bailey died last year.
The
Advertisement
READ MORE IN IRISH NEWS
It is understood Mr Bradley's team carried out extensive new testing with members of Forensic Science Ireland after travelling from its headquarters in
Their new M-Vac system works using wet vacuum principles to release and capture cells.
A substance is sprayed directly onto the surface while vacuum pressure is simultaneously applied around the pattern, to collect the buffer and suspended particles in a collection bottle.
Before travelling over to
Advertisement
MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN
'If what I believe will happen actually does, it will be massive for us in a host of ways.
'Please pray for us.'
VALUE OF THE EQUIPMENT
They include the killing of teenager Krystal Beslanowitch in Utah 28 years ago which was similar in detail to that of the savage and brutal
Advertisement
Both local gardai and the cold case unit have been working on the case since 2022.
Head of the Serious Crime Review Team DS Des McTiernan explained in a recent interview how detectives were trying to develop the forensic aspect further.
Speaking to The Irish Sun earlier this year, Sophie's uncle Jean Pierre Gazeau told how they still have faith in the gardai.
But Jean Pierre explained that for him and his relatives, Bailey is the killer after he was convicted in absentia in
Advertisement
ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS
Jean Pierre told The Irish Sun: 'The investigation team is, I would say, extremely motivated and committed to the investigation.
'There are six people, there are two big rooms and so on.
'And of course, they are in constant contact with the team, the cold case team in Dublin.
'And one of the most important aspects of the investigation is the
Advertisement
He added: 'We are satisfied by the fact that Ireland, the Irish
'So the only thing which would be really satisfying for us would be Ireland solving the problem, the case. On our side, to some extent, the case was solved.'
Professor of forensic science at the
She said: 'Based on the articles I have read and seen and the assumption that swabbing [was tried] on the flat rock and the concrete block used to murder Sophie, it is difficult to say any other collection method would be appropriate.'
Advertisement
REFUSAL TO EXTRADITE
Bailey was arrested twice over the murder but never charged due to what the DPP ruled was a lack of evidence.
A French
But the Irish courts refused to extradite him because most of the evidence produced at the French trial was based on hearsay and would never have been admissible in an Irish court of law.
After decades relying on circumstantial evidence, the cold case unit said that it hoped sophisticated new equipment will help them extract the real killer's profile from items.
Advertisement
This includes the concrete block used to brutally kill her, as well as clothing.
At the annual gathering of ASSOPH — The Association for the Truth of the Murder of Sophie — last year, it was revealed that the Garda cold case was now focusing on extracting DNA from the concrete block and the blood covered rock that was used to kill her.
It is widely believed that the killer had to leave his own blood on these.
ASSOPH hoped that the latest technology will help to provide DNA that may finally see her killer brought to justice.
Advertisement
Last December, Georges Bouniol, the elderly father of Sophie, passed away in
This followed nearly three decades of seeking justice.
5
The murder scene of Sophie, outside her holiday home
5
Jared Bradley, chief executive of M-Vac Systems
Credit: Journalist Collect
Advertisement
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
2 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Hunt for Irish man suspected of brutal murder of wife & 3 kids in Oz as cops ‘still hopeful' for answers decades later
AUSTRALIAN cops are looking for the help of the Irish public in solving a 55-year-old quadruple murder cold case. On July 2, 1970, the bodies of Therese Crawford and her three children Kathryn, James and Karen were found murdered in their car. Advertisement 4 Elmer Kyle Crawford is suspected of killing his wife and kids in Australia 4 Cops believe he might be hiding out in Ireland Her husband, Elmer Kyle Crawford, is the only suspect He had emigrated to the country in his 20s, after leaving In a bizarre case, the bodies were found after a family of tourists travelling the Great Ocean Road discovered the car 20m over a cliff at Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell. Advertisement It hadn't yet dropped to the water but the front of the car was crushed, and a hose running from the exhaust was stuck inside the front window. When emergency services were finally able to access the car, they found the four bodies inside, covered with blankets and a tarpaulin, with random items, including biscuits, strewn around. They later discovered Therese, 35, was also pregnant with her fourth child. Her husband Elmer was missing and it came about in the investigation that two weeks before they were killed, he and his wife had drafted new wills which left a large sum of money to him if his family died. Police said Elmer had created an electrocution device, used a 49ft length of lead and alligator clips, which he attached to his wife's earlobs and fingers as she slept. Advertisement He also electrocuted Kathryn and James and struck them with hammers, while the youngest, Karen, was beaten to death with a hammer, which was placed in the car alongside the bodies. At the time of their deaths, Kathryn was 13, James was eight and Karen was six-years-old. LAST SIGHTING A 1971 inquest into the deaths stated Elmer was responsible for them and it was believed that he hoped to stage the scene as if Therese had murdered the kids and then used the fumes from the hose to take her own life in a murder-suicide. Elmer was last seen at the family home in the afternoon on the day the bodies were discovered. He has reportedly been spotted in Western Australia, New Zealand, Advertisement But despite extensive searches, police have never been able to locate him. In one instance in 1994, a former associate of Elmer was holidaying in Perth and is believed to have spoken to him. Elmer appeared not to recognise the associate and claimed to be on holidays from New Zealand. He was born in Canada to an Irish woman, who left him to grow up with his grandparents in Australian police have issued a digitised photo of what Elmer would look like now, which they are circulating around the globe amid the possibility that he may have fled as far afield as Ireland. If he was still alive, Elmer would be around 95-years-old. Despite whether he is still alive or has passed away, investigators remain keen to find out where Elmer has been since his family's murder. Advertisement 'STILL HOPEFUL' Detective Inspector Dean Thomas from the Victoria Police Homicide Squad told 'The investigation into the deaths of Therese, Kathryn, James and Karen Crawford in July 1970 remains open. 'While nearly 55 years have passed since they were located deceased in the family vehicle at Loch Ard Gorge in Port Campbell, Homicide Squad detectives have not given up hope that the case may be solved one day. "It is likely that he has changed his appearance in order to disguise his identity". 'Police also continue to seek information on the current whereabouts of Elmer Crawford, who is believed to be responsible for the death of his pregnant wife and three children. 'If he were still alive today, Elmer would be aged in his 90s. Advertisement 'Anyone with information in relation to the murders or the disappearance of Elmer Crawford is asked to contact Crime Stoppers by submitting a confidential crime report at 4 The bodies of Therese Crawford and her three children were found murdered in their car Releasing the age enhanced photo of Elmer in 2008, police announced a $100,000 reward for information on his whereabouts. At the time, Detective Sergeant Peter Harrington from the Victoria Police Homicide Squad said: "There have been a number of sightings of Elmer over the years, which leads us to believe that he is still alive and living interstate to avoid detection. "It is likely that he has changed his appearance in order to disguise his identity. He previously worked as an unqualified electrician and even though would now be of retirement age, it is possible he still does a bit of this type of work on the side". Advertisement He added: "This was a particularly horrific incident which effectively erased an entire family. "Therese, Kathryn, James and Karen deserve some answers and we believe somebody out there has information that will bring those people responsible to justice". FAMILY BACKGROUND Therese was from Ipswich in Queensland and came from a large family. She moved to Melbourne to pursue a nursing career and that's where she met Elmer. The pair had a whirlwind romance and wed quickly before building their home. Advertisement Locals told media after the deaths that Elmer was an unusual character and somewhat of a loner. He was an unqualified electrician and a cook on the side, but it's understood he amassed a decent sum of financial savings and some land in Queensland. Author of Almost Perfect: The true story of the Crawford family murders, Greg Fogarty interviewed a number of neighbours and friends of the Crawford family. He said friends of the Crawfords told him that despite being known as a quiet man, Elmer was known to have outbursts of anger, including one time he smashed up his car in a fit of rage when it was causing him trouble. Anybody with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 4 The Loch Ard Gorge, Victoria, Australia, where the family's car was discovered Credit: Getty Images - Getty Advertisement
Sunday World
2 hours ago
- Sunday World
INLA issue warning to ‘far-right gangsters' and ‘vermin' drug dealers
Table and stares: armed masked men pose in front of starry plough flag associated with socialist republican groups The three masked men posing with weapons An armed republican group are allegedly warning 'far-right gangsters' and drug dealers they will be taking 'direct action' against them. A statement posted and circulated on social media includes a photo of three masked men posing with what appear to be automatic weapons fitted with silencers. A table in front of the armed men is draped with the starry plough flag usually associated with socialist republican groups. The statement suggests the group has already taken action against criminals in the Crumlin area of Dublin. A social media account supportive of the Irish Republican Party and slain Real IRA leader Alan Ryan posted the statement from the group 'reported to be the Dublin brigade of the INLA'. 'Our organisation has taken action in the Crumlin area, dealing with the antisocial behaviour that has plagued our community. 'As seen, we have taken direct action with housebreakers and other people attacking our community. We have the names of the individuals involved in these crimes against our people. We say to them: be warned, you're next.' The statement on Instagram The statement then turns to drug dealers in the area: 'The working-class communities have been hit hard with the rise of heroin, tablets, crack cocaine dealing, and drug intimidation. 'We reject these vermin; we ask the community to reject them.' Action 'We will be taking direct action with these parasites at the time of our choosing.' 'Our movement has continued to grow in numbers, with our community initiatives, rising numbers of youth coming into our ranks due to our sincere commitment to tackling community issues.' It is also suggested that the group are targeting members of the political far-right, accusing them of recruiting young people to carry out hate-crimes. 'Until now, we have been investigating and gathering intelligence on far-right gangsters trying to drag our youth to jail carrying out hate crimes. 'Our targets are far-right criminals hiking up hate within normal concerned Irish citizen protests.' 'We say to the working class: beware of your surroundings. 'Our volunteers are ready to deliver our response to all anti-community parasites. 'These perpetrators are a blight on our communities, and we ask those within the communities to be vigilant. 'We owe our allegiance to the working class. Saoirse go deo.' A spokesperson for Irish Republican Socialist Party said they were aware of the statement but as a legally registered political party said they had no role to speak on behalf of an armed group. Earlier this year another organisation calling itself the Republican Defence Army warned drugs dealers to leave the north-west of the country. The three masked men posing with weapons Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 27th
Irish Daily Mirror
5 hours ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
Man sexually assaulted his estranged wife while she was in bed with her children
A man who sexually assaulted his estranged wife on two separate occasions while she was sleeping in her bed with her young children has been sentenced to four years in prison. The 47-year-old father of two, who cannot be identified to protect the identity of his victims, pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on his wife at their family home in Wicklow two years ago. Detective Garda Catherine O'Rourke said the couple, who are both non-Irish nationals, had separated in January 2023 but they had both continued to live in the same house. The witness told a sitting of Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court that the accused entered his wife's bedroom without her permission where she was sleeping with their two very young children on the night of November 10, 2023. Det Garda O'Rourke said the woman woke up at one stage and had the feeling she was being touched in some way. The woman said husband had remarked: 'Sorry, I was horny' after she found him leaning over her before telling him to get out of her room. The court heard that he had digitally penetrated his victim who reported the matter to gardai the following day. Det Garda O'Rourke said the woman also informed them that there had been another incident sometime earlier in March 2023 when she woke suddenly, while she was sleeping in bed with one of her children, to feel being touched on her skin under her nightdress. She said the woman had screamed at her husband to get out of the room when she realised he had been touching her bum. When arrested, Det Garda O'Rourke said the man claimed he had been in his wife's bedroom and had lifted his daughter and had gotten an erection as he had placed her back in the bed. She agreed with Mr Kelly that the accused was in denial about his offending but had cooperated with gardaí. The court heard the defendant, who had six previous convictions for road traffic offences, only pleaded guilty after a trial had commenced last February as his wife was about to give evidence. In an emotional victim impact during which she broke down repeatedly, the woman said she felt very unsafe and violated after the two incidents but she had nowhere to go and did not think the authorities would believe her. The woman said her husband, from whom she has now filed for divorce, would not move out of the house after their separation. 'He would be remorseful for a few days and then say he did nothing wrong,' she recalled. She said he would also accuse her of being difficult and dramatic and attempted to portray her as being promiscuous and a bad mother. The woman said the second assault had devastated her life forever with her children still asking questions about their father. She told the court that her main concern was to keep a family routine for her children despite her own personal feelings about their father. The woman said she believed that after securing a protection order that it would protect her from any further attempt to hurt or scare her. 'I was very wrong,' she added before breaking out in tears. She said her ex-husband continued to act brazenly in the house which would leave her whole body shaking and feeling 'in survival moment every time.' The woman said she could no longer sleep in the bedroom where the assault took place and would have to make up an excuse for her children why she was sleeping on the floor of their room. The court heard that she stopped wearing make-up and nail polish and took to wearing long-sleeved clothing because she felt the need to hide and make herself invisible, while she also developed severe skin conditions from stress. The woman said she had to take extended sick leave from her job after breaking down hysterically after returning to work several weeks after the second assault. She described how she had developed thoughts of suicide and had made an actual plan to take her own life while her children were with their father. 'My children are the only reason I am still alive. They are the reason I didn't do it,' she observed. The woman also fought back tears as she explained her belief that her neighbours no longer invited her children on playdates because of gardaí calling to her house. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week After a period of living elsewhere, the woman said her ex-husband had returned to the house in January 2024 without her permission and refused to find alternative accommodation. The court heard he subsequently began to live in his car which was parked in front of her house which made her feel she was under surveillance all the time. The woman said what happened had also caused her great financial difficulties. She again broke down as she explained how she tried to keep co-parenting her children after the assault for their sake, despite her not being able to talk to or be in the same space as her ex-husband. The woman said his conviction came as a 'massive relief' because she did not believe she would ever be truly remorseful for what he had done. Judge John Martin sentenced the accused to four years in prison for the second sexual assault and 18 months for the first offence to run consecutively. However, the judge said he would suspend the final 18 months of the sentence on condition that the defendant keep the peace for a period of two years after his release from prison and have no further contact with his wife without her express consent. He said an aggravating factor in the case was how the accused had twice assaulted his wife in the same bed where his children were sleeping for his own 'gratification or power trip.' Noting the man was now on the sex offenders register, Judge Martin said his children were also secondary victims in the case, although he accepted the accused's expression of remorse as genuine. Sign up to the Irish Mirror's Courts and Crime newsletter here and get breaking crime updates and news from the courts direct to your inbox.
