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Time on police side in murder investigation
The body of a missing transsexual has been discovered and two men
face murder charges following a five-year police investigation.
THE REMAINS of James Bambrough, also know as Janis, were found in
a shallow grave at Burnett’s Face, 30km north-east of Westport
on 20 September, says Detective Senior Sergeant Wayne McCoy.
Wayne was one of 20 officers called in to investigate Janis’ disappearance
following a party in Westport on 12 October 1999.
After four weeks on the operation, two suspects remained key to the
investigation, but there was not enough evidence to lay charges,
says Wayne.
However, the case remained open, under the command of Detective Inspector
John Winter, Tasman District Crime Services Manager. “Over
the years people worked long and hard on it. Time was on our side
and we now have a very strong case.”
On 17 May this year Devon Wilding and Brian McCormick were arrested
and charged with burning a car believed to contain evidence around
Janis’ murder. On the same day, Hayden McKenzie and Devon’s
brother Leighton Wilding, were jointly charged with Janis’ murder.
They were due to appear in the Greymouth District Court on 11 October
for a depositions hearing, almost five years to the day following
Janis’s disappearance.
Wayne says the inquiry came to a head late last year and it was decided
to pursue investigations around McKenzie and Wilding.
“At the end of the day we had circumstantial evidence, but
now we have a very, very good case.”
Ten-One is unable to print details of the investigation as the matter
is still before the courts. However, new information led the team
to search Burnett’s Face for four days last month. The body
was found in a grave covered with moss.
“It was raining and windy and not very nice up there,” says Wayne. “But
we are really relieved for the family’s sake that he has been found.”
Aside from John, seven of the original operation members were on the team that
made the arrests and discovered the body: Wayne, Detective Mike Lawson, Detective
Pat Nally, Detective Craig Nixon, Senior Sergeant John Canning and Constables
John Cunneen and Paul Sampson “It was a great relief,” says Wayne. “People
have been ringing up to congratulate us.”
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