Detectives from the Crime and Intelligence Command are hoping a Queensland Government reward increase to $500,000 will bring in new information to assist police investigations into the murder of Bryan Hodgkinson in September 1987.
Mr Hodgkinson then aged 48, resided with his wife and three children in Bundaberg, where he had lived his entire life and was a well-regarded member of the community.
Mr Hodgkinson was an owner and driver for the Bundaberg Taxi Company, driving taxis in the Bundaberg area for about three years prior to his death.
At approximately 7.30am on September 10 1987, Mr Hodgkinson was reported missing by his wife Elaine Hodgkinson after he failed to return home from his shift as a taxi driver.
Shortly after the report was made, Bundaberg Taxi Company reported Mr Hodgkinson's taxi - QLD registration T26-053 – had been located abandoned outside an address at 7 Beatrice Street, Bundaberg. There was no damage to the taxi when it was located however, the taxi keys and coin dispenser were missing, and an amount of money had been taken from his wallet. These items have never been recovered.
At 7:55am a man's body was located off Goodwood Road, Goodwood, now known as Peirson Road. Initial observations indicated the man had been attacked, sustaining trauma to his head, throat and stab wounds to his abdomen and chest. The location of the body was approximately 32 kilometres from Bundaberg CBD, in a remote location on a road leading only to a youth home called the 'Peirson Memorial Home'. The man was later identified as Bryan Hodgkinson.
A review of taxi logs identified that on the evening of September 9, 1987, Mr Hodgkinson was driving his taxi and was due to finish work at 1:00am the following morning, September 10, 1987. He received a taxi fare via radio from the taxi base at 12:31am, only half an hour before he was due to finish. Mr Hodgkinson accepted the job with details to collect a passenger named 'Sykes' from the corner of Targo and Burnett Street, Bundaberg.
It is unknown if Mr Hodgkinson collected this fare as his contact with the taxi base at 12:31am on September 10, 1987 was the last time Mr Hodgkinson was confirmed to be alive.
An investigation was commenced by Bundaberg Police and Homicide Investigation Unit. Extensive inquiries have been conducted since 1987, with approximately 170 statements being taken. Several persons of interest were investigated and eliminated, but unfortunately the matter remains unsolved.
In 2009 an arrest was made in relation to this investigation, however that prosecution was later discontinued. Current investigators have reviewed the evidence surrounding the 2009 arrest with an open mind, with the circumstances surrounding that arrest not the focus of this current review.
In 2018 a Coronial Inquest was finalised in the Bundaberg Coroners court. After hearing the evidence of many witnesses and persons of interest, the coroner could not make a definitive finding about the circumstances of Mr Hodgkinson's death and who might have been responsible.
Following an extensive review, detectives believe that there are people who know what happened to Mr Hodgkinson.
New and enhanced forensic testing of exhibits seized from both Mr Hodgkinson's taxi and the vicinity of his body has sparked the current investigation of this matter.
Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell from the Cold Case Investigation Team said a $500,000 reward is now in place for information that may lead to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Bryan Hodgkinson.
"Police would like to speak with the person with the name 'Sykes' who called Bundaberg Taxis at 12:31 am on September 10, 1987, requesting a taxi pickup from the corner of Targo and Burnett Streets, Bundaberg.
"We are seeking any person who may have seen Bryan's taxi travelling out of and back into Bundaberg CBD in the early hours of September 10, 1987, to contact police," Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said.
"The round trip from Bundaberg to Peirson Memorial Road was approximately 65km and police believe that someone involved with Bryan's murder drove his taxi back into Bundaberg.
"Anyone who was in the Bundaberg area on 9 and 10 September 1987 who recalls being in a taxi on the night Bryan was murdered but has not previously made themselves known to police."
The $500,000 Queensland Government Reward is for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this murder. The Government reward further offers an opportunity for indemnity against prosecution for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the murder, who first gives such information.
Anyone who has any information, no matter how small or irrelevant they think it might be, is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online on the Crime Stopper website.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
