Police may have unmasked hidden serial killer after extraordinary breakthrough in Kerryn Tate murder

Detectives have made an extraordinary breakthrough in the unsolved murder of Kerryn Tate, identifying a suspect they believe may have been responsible for the 45-year-old crime amid fears she was the victim of a serial killer.

Cold case detectives have used a groundbreaking forensic technique called investigative genetic genealogy — matching DNA found at the crime scene to data on public ancestry websites — to zero in on WA man Terence John Fisher, who died in 2000.

Ms Tate’s body was found slumped over a smouldering tree stump in bush at Karragullen in Perth’s south-east, about 800m south of Brookton Highway, on December 30, 1979.

A bloodstained piece of wood recovered near her body indicated she had been beaten to death.

The way the 22-year-old’s body was found arranged at the scene, with burnt items dotted in a semicircle around the charred stump, sparked rumours her death was linked to witchcraft. But police found no evidence to back up these claims.

In 2023, detectives revealed they had discovered the DNA profile of an unknown man on evidence linked to the scene and were working to confirm his identity.

That breakthrough came in recent months, with WA Police’s investigative genealogy team uploading the DNA profile to a public database, identifying a number of genetic relatives.

Police then compiled a family tree of 10,000 people and, after further investigation, identified Mr Fisher as a suspect.

Remarkably, officers also believe that if he was alive, Mr Fisher may have been able to help police with their investigations into the murders of two other women — Barbara Western in 1986 and Kerry Turner in 1991.

Ms Tate’s body was found just 500m from where Ms Western’s remains were discovered in March 1990. Ms Turner’s body was found hidden behind a log near the Canning Dam.

Suspicion has previously fallen on infamous serial killer couple Catherine and David Birnie over the years in relation to Ms Western’s death, with police even once taking David Birnie to Karragullen.

After identifying Mr Fisher as a suspect in Ms Tate’s murder, police are now calling for people who knew him to come forward so they can piece together a clearer picture of his life and movements.

And in an extremely rare move, police have publicly released a detailed suspect profile.

It reveals Mr Fisher was born on February 11, 1950, in the Perth suburb of Mt Lawley and served in the Australian Army from 1970 to 1972, mainly based in Townsville. He married in 1973, going on to separate from his wife in 1981. The pair did not have any children.

At the time of Ms Tate’s murder, Mr Fisher was living in Rivervale and Manning in Perth’s south, residing with his father in Manning until his death of natural causes on August 27, 2000.

He worked with the Public Work Department as a carpenter on the construction of government buildings in Perth and regional areas, before taking a voluntary redundancy in 1993 and starting his own business.

The suspect was also a prominent member of the Fremantle Sailing Club, participating in offshore racing and socialising there regularly. In the 1980s, he built a yacht in a Carlisle warehouse that launched in 1985.

He also frequented pubs in Carlisle, Victoria Park and Manning.

Acting Det-Sen. Sgt Dion Selby, the lead investigator, said information provided to the public could offer the key to finally solving the case.’

“We are trying to build a picture of Mr Fisher’s regular movements, of his routine,” he said.

“There is so much we know about him, but we want to know more.”

Ms Tate’s siblings have welcomed the development.

“It means a great deal, because it just gives you more faith in the detectives and the police and all the people who work together to solve these sorts of crimes,” Ms Tate’s sister, Annemarie Tate, said.

“It also gives you peace of mind to know that he’s obviously deceased, so he’s not going to hurt anybody else.”

She said she also felt comfort in knowing it is unlikely she will have to endure a trial.

Ms Tate’s brother Matt said the news gave him closure. He also encouraged people to speak up if they know anything about Mr Fisher.

“You must have some sort of clue about what was going on in his life.

“There was something strange about the whole thing. Somebody doesn’t just kill somebody for any odd reason,” he told the Cold Case Western Australia podcast, which is featuring the case in the hope it will further prompt more people to come forward.

“We don’t know what happened there, were there drugs? Were they stoned off their scones?

“We don’t know the answers to that. people don’t realise what they know. And they (might) think it’s irrelevant, but they have to come forward, even if it’s a little, insignificant little thing to just bring that forward because it can be a clue.”

Acting Assistant Police Commissioner Paul Coombes said the breakthrough proved police will never give up on cracking cases.

“In the 45 years since the tragic death of Kerryn Tate we have never stopped trying to find the person responsible for her murder, “ he said.

“Countless investigators have worked tirelessly on this case.

“Unfortunately, we may never know the motivations for this horrific crime, but with the public’s help we may be able to finally bring some comfort to the Tate family.”

Genetic genealogy was used to catch the infamous Golden State Killer Joseph DeAngelo in 2018. Since then, WA Police has used the technique to solve several historic sex offences and long-term missing persons cases.

“The use of investigative genetic genealogy is allowing us to solve more cold cases than ever. It’s a resource intensive process, but it’s one the major crime team is committed to,” Mr Coombes said.

“It’s still a relatively new technique, but with time as new technology becomes available, these methods will only further compliment traditional detective work.”

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make a report online at www.crimestopperswa.com.au