Phillip Island Murder 1986

[rdhopkins2]

In 1986 a shocking murder occurred on Phillip Island.

The victim, Beth Barnard, was brutally killed. Beth was having an affair with the husband of a lady who disappeared at the same time. Her name is Vivienne Cameron. Never to be sighted again, it was alleged Vivienne had killed Beth in retribution for the affair. This affair was local knowledge on PI. Vivienne was alleged to have deliberately disappeared or to have taken her own life.


Today, a human skull has been dug up by plumbers on PI and many suspect that this may be Vivienne.

Only a skull has been discovered so far. If only a skull was recovered, where is the rest of the body? Who buried the skull? To me this sounds suspicious. Was this person murdered? If so, who did it?

Whoever the skull belongs to, I hope there is at least some closure for the family of a missing person out there.

https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/streaming/new-twist-in-cold-case-phillip-island-murder-mystery/news-story/345f490d78b42ab3ab46525656782f67?amp

Vivienne CAMERON

 

[rdhopkins2]

Other bones apparently found with the skull. Presumably of the same person.

Still, how does this body end up in dirt at a home? Doesn’t sound like they took their own life.

https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/crime-scene-established-at-phillip-island-home-after-discovery-of-human-remains/news-story/4f1adc2b647485ead562a75f4b83b406

 

[Percel]

Thanks for the thread, intriguing to say the least

 

[TheEscapeClub]

My daughter's bf was delivering supplies to them when they dug it up.

He said the skull was only small so thought it might belong to a child. He is only 20 years old so may not have perspective on how big a child's or adult's skull should or shouldn't be.

 

[FR0GGY]

My daughter's bf was delivering supplies to them when they dug it up.

He said the skull was only small so thought it might belong to a child. He is only 20 years old so may not have perspective on how big a child's or adult's skull should or shouldn't be.

Pretty sure they already said it was an adults skull?

 

[TheEscapeClub]

Pretty sure they already said it was an adults skull?

They have indeed.

 

[FR0GGY]

They have indeed.

Without skin, ears and hair I suggest they’d look smaller too

 

[FR0GGY]

For anyone that’s looked at the case does the road where the skulls been found have any significance to where people lived who were a part of the situation back then?
Hazlewood court silverleaves

 

[X_box_X]

Definitely a fascinating case that hits close to home for me.

I recommend listening to this Podcast which came out a few years ago.





Casefile covers it in a single episode but the above is a part of 'Casefile Presents' which is a series.

This is quite often one of the first cases I recommend to people who have an interest in true crime.

 

[X_box_X]

FWIW, it's more likely the human remains belong to Terry Cottier. Geographically that makes sense.

Anyway, didn't an anonymous witness previously state that Viv is buried somewhere at the Phillip Island racetrack?

Time will tell, I guess.

 

[rdhopkins2]

FWIW, it's more likely the human remains belong to Terry Cottier. Geographically that makes sense.

Anyway, didn't an anonymous witness previously state that Viv is buried somewhere at the Phillip Island racetrack?

Time will tell, I guess.

I think this is more likely also.i wonder if he has any connection to the house or previous occupants?

 

[GreyCrow]

Kurve is there a thread on this already?

Due to the search functionality issues I havent even attempted to look but when I saw this news I thought of a thread I posted in

 

[rdhopkins2]

I tried a search but couldn’t find anything so if there is a thread already, please merge.

 

[GreyCrow]

I tried a search but couldn’t find anything so if there is a thread already, please merge.

I didn't mean to imply further comments can't happen just a recognition that another thread exists and that I also understand the limitations of the search function

I'm hoping Kurve has better access

 

[Finney]

Shame Casefile deleted their episode on this when they released the "Casefile Presents..." series. Anyone know if the original ep. 80 is available anywhere?

 

[revo333]

Only a skull has been discovered so far. If only a skull was recovered, where is the rest of the body? Who buried the skull? To me this sounds suspicious. Was this person murdered? If so, who did it?

Yeah I had to re read the article a few times as I assumed it was the Mistress.

So if this is Vivienne then she has run into foul play as well?

Would think it's probably impossible to commit suicide and bury yourself..

 

[GreyCrow]

Yeah I had to re read the article a few times as I assumed it was the Mistress.

So if this is Vivienne then she has run into foul play as well?

Would think it's probably impossible to commit suicide and bury yourself..

In the original thread there was speculation she never left the island as she was being looked after by family

If this holds then maybe she died naturally and the family couldnt report it so buried her quietly

 

[FR0GGY]

FWIW, it's more likely the human remains belong to Terry Cottier. Geographically that makes sense.

Anyway, didn't an anonymous witness previously state that Viv is buried somewhere at the Phillip Island racetrack?

Time will tell, I guess.

Interesting that her husband Fergus is the tracks managing director and has been since 84.

 

[X_box_X]

Interesting that her husband Fergus is the tracks managing director and has been since 84.

As per the below link, her family clearly knows she died on 23 Sep 1986 rather than catch a Bus to Melbourne as some had suggested. You'll note it lists the death location as "Ventnor" which is near the Grand Prix track. It's interesting that's the listing of the death, not San Remo, not Cowes, not Phillip Island. But specifically Ventnor.

FamilySearch.org

Discover your family history. Explore the world’s largest collection of free family trees, genealogy records and resources.

ancestors.familysearch.org

 

[revo333]

Interesting that her husband Fergus is the tracks managing director and has been since 84.

Going by Facebook comments it seems plenty think it's very possible he murdered both and has gotten away with it due to his high status in the community.

 

[Jennifer M]

Interesting that her husband Fergus is the tracks managing director and has been since 84.

Not since 2022

 

[Pamcake1]

I'm interested.
I don't know anything about it but see there is also a book by Vicki Petraitis, 'The Vanishing of Vivienne' which I will look go get out of the library as my preference has always been to read over listening to podcasts (tend to fall asleep or get distracted and stop listening.)

But for those other who haven't heard the Case file pod here is the link:

The Vanishing of Vivienne Cameron - Casefile Presents

casefilepresents.com

 

[GreyCrow]

Kurve is there a thread on this already?

Due to the search functionality issues I havent even attempted to look but when I saw this news I thought of a thread I posted in

Thread 'The Scarlet Letter - Beth Barnard and Vivienne Cameron'

Nov 13, 2020

Have been very interested in this case since Casefile covered it a couple of years back. A mysterious death of a popular young woman in a small community, a missing mother and the man stuck between them. Still yet to hear a convincing theory about how the events of this case played out, there's so much contradictory evidence out there. A new podcast from the author of a book on the murder is out now presented by Casefile. Just finished listening to it, it sort of dances around who may have committed the crime if it wasn't Vivienne who killed Beth.

Welcome – The Vanishing of Vivienne Cameron – by Casefile Presents

phillipislandpodcast.com

...

• Kyptastic
• Replies: 22
• Forum: Crime

• 

I thought I posted in it. Must be another floating about

 

[Finney]

I found the original Casefile episode here - it's Case 80. They deleted the original episode in favour of the Spotify series.

 

[Poppy Penny]

I'm interested.
I don't know anything about it but see there is also a book by Vicki Petraitis, 'The Vanishing of Vivienne' which I will look go get out of the library as my preference has always been to read over listening to podcasts (tend to fall asleep or get distracted and stop listening.)

But for those other who haven't heard the Case file pod here is the link:

The Vanishing of Vivienne Cameron - Casefile Presents

casefilepresents.com