Mother of Five Stabbed to Death 45 Years Ago
Australian police have announced a $1 million reward for information leading to the resolution of a cold case involving the murder of Mary Anne Fagan. Fagan, a homemaker and mother of five young children, was found stabbed to death in her Armadale home in 1978.
Possible Witnesses Urged to Come Forward
Victoria Police have appealed to the public, stating that they believe there may still be individuals in the community who possess crucial information about the incident. Detective authorities are seeking assistance in identifying those responsible for Fagan’s murder.
The Timeline of the Tragedy
On the morning of February 17, 1978, Fagan drove her children to school in the family’s station wagon. She returned home around 9:15 a.m. and was seen in the front yard by a passing witness about an hour later. At approximately 11 a.m., Fagan’s husband called her for a brief conversation, marking the last known contact with her.
When Fagan’s children returned home at 4 p.m., they discovered that the side gate was open and their mother was missing. Inside the house, they heard the sound of a crying baby. Tragically, Fagan’s children found her bound, gagged, and fatally stabbed multiple times in the front bedroom. Some personal belongings were also reported missing from the home.
Similar Rewards in Other Unsolved Cases
This is not the first time Australian law enforcement has offered significant rewards to the public for information in unsolved cases. In May of last year, Western Australia Police offered a $1 million reward for information regarding the disappearance of 12-year-old James Patrick Taylor, known as Jimmy, in 1974. Queensland police also offered a $500,000 award for information related to the case of Meaghan Louise Rose, who was found dead in 1997.
About the Author
Cara Tabachnick is a renowned news editor and journalist at CBSNews.com. With a background in crime reporting, she has worked for esteemed publications such as Newsday, Marie Claire, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal. Tabachnick specializes in covering justice and human rights issues. To contact her, email [email protected].