Australia’s notorious serial killer Ivan Milat dies in prison at 74
- He murdered three German, two British, and two Australian backpackers after giving them rides while they were hitchhiking
- His killings came to light when the mutilated corpses were found near Sydney in 1992 and 1993, but police believe he may have committed more murders
Ivan Milat, whose grisly serial killings of seven German, British and Australian backpackers horrified Australia in the early ‘90s, died in a Sydney prison on Sunday, ending hopes of a deathbed confession to more unsolved slayings. He was 74.
The road worker and gun enthusiast had been in custody since 1994 and was diagnosed in May with terminal oesophageal and stomach cancer. Milat died in the medical wing of Long Bay Prison, New South Wales state Corrective Services said.
He was convicted of murder in the deaths of three German, two British, and two Australian backpackers after giving them rides while they were hitchhiking. The serial killings came to light when the mutilated corpses were found in a forest near Sydney over 14 months in 1992 and 1993.
Speculation has continued at Milat had an accomplice and had been responsible for other homicides and suspicious tourist disappearances.
Clive Small, a former detective who led the murder investigation, said on Sunday that he was confident Milat acted alone. But Small also suspects Milat had more victims, including three people whose bodies were found in other forests from as early as 1971.