General News
8 May, 2023
Call for Terry Floyd's case to be released to investigator
The family of missing Mary-borough boy Terry Floyd have applied to Victoria Police to have the case released to a private investigator in what could be a first for the state. Daryl Floyd, the brother of Terry, has written to Victoria Police...
The family of missing Maryborough boy Terry Floyd have applied to Victoria Police to have the case released to a private investigator in what could be a first for the state.
Daryl Floyd, the brother of Terry, has written to Victoria Police requesting that the case file be released to former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina as new and “compelling” evidence comes forward.
Mr Floyd said the evidence could help identify who picked 12-year-old Terry up from the side of the road on June 28, 1975, the day of his disappearance.
“There is new and compelling information that’s come forward and we believe there’s more that can be done now,” he said.
Victoria Police’s Homicide Squad reopened the investigation into Terry’s disappearance in 2000 and the following year a coroner determined Terry had been murdered, however no body has ever been found and no one has been charged over the abduction and murder.
There is currently a $1 million reward offered for any information that could lead to answers.
Mr Floyd said he’s hopeful the new information and request to Victoria Police could lead to answers.
“At the end of the day you can’t just keep waiting because none of us are getting younger,” he said.
“You’ve got to be proactive and move this forward and that’s what we’re trying to do — it’s not about anything except trying to get a result.”
It comes as preparation works to fully excavate the Morning Star Mine near Avoca, long believed to be the final resting place of Terry, near completion after the Victorian Government funded the exploratory works.
Specialist cadaver dogs have also been used in a grid search of the area around the mine and are reported to have had a significant response to the mine shaft itself.
Charlie Bezzina, a former police officer and homicide investigator is hopeful Mr Floyd’s request will be approved.
“Victoria Police have brought in a retired member in the past to actually work at the police premises with the file,” he said.
“If this is successful it will be a first for Victoria Police to release a file to a retired police member outside the auspices of the police department.
“I would be surprised if they would release the file outside of the police premises but they would be releasing it to a trusted former detective so I don’t know what argument they would have to refuse the application.
“In the past, journalists have been allowed access to files inside the police building so I can’t really see an argument as to why they wouldn’t allow me access but time will tell.”
Mr Bezzina said with the new information that has come forward, now was the time to go over the case file with a fresh set of eyes.
“One of the prime reasons to gain access to the file and have fresh eyes on it is to ensure that all avenues of enquiries have been pursued,” he said.
“Once that’s done, and given the fact we’ve identified potential suspects, it would be a case of looking at it and asking how evidence can be advanced against these particular suspects for a criminal prosecution.
“If there are processes I can nominate, that will then go back to the cold case unit — them being the sworn members — and they will then take a certain cause of action.”
Mr Bezzina said the request for access to the file is part of a two-prong attack centred around gaining answers for the Floyd family.
“Primarily what we would like to achieve is to find the remains of Terry, that’s the most significant element of this and hopefully that will be achieved when the mine search at Avoca is concluded,” he said.
“Following that, the second priority is making people accountable and responsible through the justice system as to Terry’s disappearance and assumed murder — that would be the icing on the cake.
“If that was not to occur, we would hope to have an inquest and a coronial finding where a coroner can identify that these particular suspects or suspect are responsible or implicit in the disappearance and alleged murder of Terry Floyd.
“That way there is a finding, whilst we may fall short criminally, if they can come to that conclusion it would bring some solace to Daryl and his family.”
It’s expected Victoria Police will provide a response by the end of May.