News & Politics - Azaria Chamberliand case reopened

Monroe · 07-05-2004, 10:51 PM

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Bag trigger for Azaria story
July 6, 2004

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Australian tragedy ... Lindy Chamberlain with daughter Azaria. Top, Frank Cole, who claimed to have shot the dingo carrying Azaria's body. Photo of Frank Cole: Channel Ten

The body of Azaria Chamberlain was hidden in a Gladstone bag after being found near Uluru, the man at the centre of new claims about the baby's fate is said to have told his neighbour.

Bert Fraser is a neighbour of Melbourne man Frank Cole, 78, who claims he shot a dingo near Uluru in August 1980 and found Azaria's body in its mouth.

Mr Fraser said Mr Cole had seen a Gladstone bag in his home, prompting him to reveal a 24-year-old secret to his neighbour. "I had one [a Gladstone bag] in here and he said: 'That's the same bag that they put the child in when they found the baby,"' Mr Fraser told ABC radio. "Well, I asked him questions and he told the story. He said 'I had to tell someone because I'm getting older', and he said the rest of the chaps have died, the three people, and he'd hate to take it to his grave."

Mr Cole has said he was shooting for dog meat near Uluru and took a shot at what he thought was a rabbit but found it was a dingo with a dead baby in its jaws. He said he and his three friends, who had since died, decided not to take the body to police immediately, fearing they would be punished for illegally using a firearm in a national park. The group later agreed to take the body to authorities, but never did, he said.

Mr Cole said one of his friends might have buried the body in a Melbourne backyard.

Northern Territory and Victorian police have said they will investigate Mr Cole's claims. Victoria's Chief Commissioner, Christine Nixon, said yesterday police had yet to interview him.

Azaria's mother, Lindy Chamberlain, now Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, was jailed for life in 1982 for murder, but was freed in 1986.

The police officer who headed initial investigations into Azaria's disappearance, Graeme Carload, said the new claims seemed far-fetched.

Mr Carload told The West Australian he did not have access to the original police files or Mr Cole's account of events, but there did not seem to be any evidence to corroborate his statements.

Former Northern Territory chief minister Paul Everingham said he was sceptical of Mr Cole's story.

"I find it hard to believe - maybe it's right but I'm not buying it, certainly not at this stage," Mr Everingham told ABC radio.

He said any gunshot near Uluru would have attracted the attention of rangers.

AAP

Quote:

NT police to investigate new Azaria claims
July 6, 2004 - 3:00PM

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The Northern Territory police today confirmed they will investigate new claims about the disappearance of baby Azaria Chamberlain.

Assistant Commissioner crime and support command Grahame Kelly said the NT police would speak to Frank Cole, who claims he shot a dingo near Uluru in August 1980 and found Azaria's body in its mouth.

"The Northern Territory Police will investigate the claims made by Frank Cole," Assistant Commissioner Kelly said in a statement.

"At the appropriate time, the Northern Territory Police will speak to Mr Cole to obtain a statement in regards to his claims.

"The Northern Territory Police may seek the assistance of the Victorian Police in this matter, but what assistance that would be is yet to be determined between the two organisations.

"Until that statement is obtained, it is inappropriate to comment on the impact of the claims by Mr Cole."

Victorian police yesterday said they would investigate the claims.

Azaria's mother Lindy Chamberlain, now Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, was jailed for life in 1982 for murder.

Her husband Michael was found guilty of being an accessory, but was given a suspended sentence.

Ms Chamberlain was freed from jail in 1986, and a judicial inquiry into the case was later announced.

The couple was officially pardoned in 1987 and the NT court of appeal quashed their convictions in 1988.

AAP

I think his an incredibly selfish person. His reason for not going foward was because he and his friends (who have all conventially died since) were worried about getting in trouble for setting off a gun and shooting an animal in a national park. I think it takes a very gutless person to let someone else go on trail for murder and even to spend time in jail for it. In saying this, I don't buy his story. I think his old and he wants his fifteen minutes of fame at the expense of opening old wounds to the people affected by this. I don't think what really happened will ever by determined.

-Kelly- · 07-05-2004, 11:11 PM

I agree with you, it's plain selfish

I bet there will be another movie out of this

SMG_fan · 07-06-2004, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JustaGirl
I agree with you, it's plain selfish

I bet there will be another movie out of this

They're already in the middle of making a new tv movie about it. Some people think that this story was created to create publicity for the movie.

I don't know if the mans telling the truth or not but I definately don't think that Lindy killed Azaria.

Belinda

Anabela · 07-06-2004, 02:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SMG_fan
They're already in the middle of making a new tv movie about it. Some people think that this story was created to create publicity for the movie.

If that's the case, then this is a very sad way to create publicity. They are opening old wounds.

- Jen - · 07-06-2004, 03:36 AM

this guy has to take the cake, as the most selfish person, how on earth could he have lived with himself all these years if he is telling the truth..

the whole situation is tragic- i used to work with Lindy's son ( who is a hottie BTW

) it was made very clear by everybody, that you do not talk about the situation, it was completely off limits. very sad for the whole family, cant imagine what it would be like now....

*Lauren · 07-06-2004, 06:58 AM

It would be horrific. I've always felt immense sadness for Lindy, as she not only had to go through the pain of Azaria's dissaperence and death, but then the publicity came, and then the charge and being convicted of it. Horrible.

This case deeply divided the country. Its still not talked about in my family, as the arguments are HUGE. I once asked about it when I was 10, and the way my grandfather and mother fought (my gf though she did it, my mother thought the oppisite) was severe. I've never brought it up again.

On another note, can the title of this be changed? The phrase is usually used as a joke, and it makes me slightly uncomfterble to read the title (even though I know it wasn't meant as that) Can it be changed to something like "Azaria Chamberliand case reopened" or something to do with Lindy.

The guy is an *******.

Monroe · 07-06-2004, 06:03 PM

Changed

I had just used that title because it is the phrase that is known most worldwide. But I understand where you are coming from, when I was overseas (in the USA) a few people said that to me in a fake Australian accent and were suprised to find out it was a real case.

imajica · 07-06-2004, 07:16 PM

If this is true, I don't know how the guy could have lived with himself watching her going to jail when she was pregnant. I always thought that there was something missing from this story.

***Jerry D*** · 07-06-2004, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by *Lauren
On another note, can the title of this be changed? The phrase is usually used as a joke, and it makes me slightly uncomfterble to read the title (even though I know it wasn't meant as that) Can it be changed to something like "Azaria Chamberliand case reopened" or something to do with Lindy.

Freya changed the title in the opening post, but she couldn't change the title that shows up on the board here, since she doesn't moderate this board, so I changed it.

If this is true, this guy really has to be the most callously selfish person on earth, to let an innocent woman go to prison for something that she didn't do.

Kyls · 07-07-2004, 01:27 AM

I'm not sure I believe this guys story. But if it is true, I too don't understand how he could have waited this long to say something.

Aussie bubbles · 07-13-2004, 08:08 PM

I believe what he is saying.
And I never once thought she was involved! I feel so sorry for her and her whole family and I believe that Frank Cole and his now deceased friends were EXTREMELY selfish in not coming forward and admitting the truth!
I really hope that this solves this mystery once and for all so The Chamberlain family can competley move on.

-Kelly- · 07-15-2004, 09:33 PM

The marriage was over because of their daughter's death and the 3 man didn't say a word. It's wrong. Not just not Frank.

xallyx · 07-18-2004, 10:57 PM

It's funny how he decides to come out just when the filming of the mini-series based on this event is just starting...


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