The Government of Western Australia will pay a reward of up to $1 million for information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the abduction and homicide of Gerard James Ross.
The announcement was made today by Police Minister Michelle Roberts on what is the 23rd anniversary of Gerard's abduction.
Gerard was holidaying with his family in accommodation in Rockingham.
At 9:30am on October 14, 1997, Gerard and his brother left the accommodation on Kent Street, intending to visit a comic store at a local shopping centre.
His brother, who was on rollerblades, skated ahead on Kent Street having agreed to meet Gerard at the store.
Gerard was last seen walking along Kent Street several houses away from where he was staying, but he never made it to the store.
On October 28, 1997, (14 days later) Gerard's body was located on the edge of a limestone track in the Karnup Pine Plantation, a short distance off Stakehill Road, Baldivis.
The Government may be prepared to consider recommending protection from prosecution, or pardon for any informant with information that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the abduction and homicide.
As stated by Police Minister Michelle Roberts:
"The tragedy of Gerard's disappearance and murder has not grown less with the years.
"Today Gerard should be a young man, perhaps with a family of his own.
"He was robbed of that future and his parents were robbed of that future.
"As a community, these are the crimes that cut right at our sense of who we are.
"I hope that with this added incentive, we can come closer to resolving the murder.
"I know that our police will never give up on pursuing justice for Gerard."
