Police probing 70s cold cases to investigate links to knife, shovel and dress at campsite
Police are reviewing reports linking an old YMCA campsite near Newcastle to cold case murders from the 1970s. Former camp manager Steve Smith provided testimony about suspicious items found at the site, including a knife and shovel. Authorities are now considering a search of the campground in light of these claims.
- ▪Steve Smith reported finding a knife and shovel at the Crangan Bay campsite in 1979.
- ▪Three local women disappeared around the same time as these discoveries.
- ▪Police are collaborating with the Unsolved Homicide Team to investigate the claims.
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| Original publisher | ABC News (Australia) |
| Canonical URL | https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-05-22/police-to-review-reports-old-ymca-campsite-linked-to-cold-cases/106710366 |
| Publication time | Fri, 22 May 2026 03:34:03 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-05-22T04:06:59.976Z |
| Last seen | 2026-05-22T04:06:59.976Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Police to review reports old YMCA campsite may be linked to cold cases near NewcastleGBy Giselle WakatamaABC NewcastleTopic:PoliceFri 22 May 2026 at 1:34pmFri 22 May 2026 at 1:34pmFri 22 May 2026 at 1:34pmThe Crangan Bay holiday campground was popular in the 1960s and 70s. (Supplied: Facebook)In short:Former YMCA camp manager Steve Smith has given detailed accounts of disturbing incidents at a campsite near Newcastle.He has told a state inquiry the campground could be linked to cold case murders and should be searched.What's next?Police are reviewing his reports.abc.net.au/news/police-to-review-reports-old-ymca-campsite-linked-to-cold-cases/106710366Link copiedShareShare articlePolice will review the testimony of a youth camp manager who found a number of suspicious items in bushland near…
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