Wednesday, November 15, 1972

Anita Cunningham

Personal Details Last seen: On 15 November 1972 Age: 18 Year of birth: 1954 Height: Build: Eyes: Hair: Fair Complexion: Fair Gender: Female Distinguishing Feature: Circumstances: Left Melbourne in July 1972 to hitchhike to north Queensland with college friend Robin Hoinville-Bartram, 19, from Bowen. On 15 November 1972, Hoinville-Bartram's remains were located in Sensible Creek under a bridge on the Flinders Highway, approximately 80 kilometres west of Charters Towers. Robin had been sexually assaulted and shot in the head with a .22 calibre rifle. No trace of Anita Cunningham has been found. Hoinville-Bartram and Cunningham were two of seven female hitch-hikers who were killed in Queensland between 1972 and 1976. Police have not ruled out that the women may have been the victims of a serial killer. Information indicated the pair, who began their journey from NSW's Hume Highway, had gone to Darwin before travelling to Mount Isa. Police have been examining the movements of backpacker killer Ivan Milat when the pair disappeared, but also are interested in Arthur Stanley Brown, who was charged in 1998 with the murder of two Townsville schoolgirls in 1970. Any member of the public with information which could assist Police is asked to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000 REWARD: The Minister for Police and Corrective Services has approved a reward of $250,000 be offered for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Robin Jeanne Hoinville-Bartram and Anita Cunningham in September 1972. INDEMNITY FROM PROSECUTION: In addition, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the crime, who first gives such information. The allocation of the $250,000 reward will be at the sole discretion of the Commissioner of the Police Service.