Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au

Aaron Bunch
New lead could put Qld cold case to rest

Tony Jones’ loved ones say they have a new lead that could solve his disappearance near Townsville almost 40 years ago but police won’t speak to them.

August 8, 2018

The family of missing Queensland backpacker Tony Jones believe they know who murdered him but say police are refusing to act on compelling evidence gathered in a lengthy private investigation.

Mr Jones disappeared in November 1982 while hitchhiking from Townsville to Mount Isa.

A 2002 coronial inquest found the 20-year-old had probably been murdered.

His body has never been found.

His family wants police to pursue the new lead but say their relationship with the homicide squad is now so hostile they don’t have access to the officers investigating the case.

“It’s just crazy, we should be at the beginning of the end, it’s the big breakthrough. We’re handing it on a platter to them and they don’t want to listen,” older brother Mark Jones told AAP.

“There’s no urgency, no interest, too hard, too painful, too much acrimony.”

Mr Jones won’t publicly say what evidence has been discovered but has flown from his Perth home to Brisbane to try to speak to police. 

“I just want somebody, anybody, to sit down and listen to what I have to say,” he said.

In their response to questions about their relationship with the Jones family and their investigation into the case, Queensland Police said: “As this matter is currently the subject of a coronial inquest, it would not be appropriate for the Queensland Police Service to comment.”

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