The Backpacker Murders were a series of brutal killings that shook New South Wales, Australia, between 1989 and 1993. Perpetrated by Ivan Milat, the murders claimed the lives of seven young people aged 19 to 22. Their bodies were discovered partially buried in Belanglo State Forest, located 15 kilometres southwest of Berrima. Among the victims were five foreign backpackers—three Germans and two British—and two Australians from Melbourne.
Milat, who was 51 at the time of his arrest, was convicted on 27 July 1996. He received seven consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 18 years for the attempted murder and robbery of a survivor. Milat died in prison on 27 October 2019, never confessing to the killings.
Background
During the late 1980s and early 1990s, hitchhiking was a common way for young travelers to explore Australia cheaply. However, several mysterious disappearances—including those of Trudie Adams (1978), Tony Jones (1982), and Naoko Onda (1987)—led many backpackers to travel in pairs for safety.
Several victims disappeared under similar circumstances. Victorian couple Deborah Everist and James Gibson vanished on 30 December 1989 while traveling from Sydney to ConFest near Albury. Simone Schmidl, a 21-year-old German backpacker, went missing in January 1991. Gabor Neugebauer and Anja Habschied, another German couple, disappeared in December 1991, and British backpackers Caroline Clarke and Joanne Walters were last seen in Kings Cross in April 1992.
Discovery of the Bodies
On 19 September 1992, two orienteers discovered a concealed body in Belanglo State Forest. Police quickly found a second corpse 30 metres away. Dental records confirmed the bodies as Clarke and Walters. Walters had been stabbed 15 times, and Clarke was shot ten times in the head, likely used as target practice.
In October 1993, bones of Gibson and Everist were found. Gibson’s skeleton revealed eight stab wounds, including a knife cut through the upper spine. Everist had been savagely beaten, with a fractured skull, broken jaw, and knife marks on her forehead. The discovery of Gibson’s body in Belanglo puzzled investigators, as his camera and backpack had been previously found far to the north.
In November 1993, police uncovered Schmidl’s skeleton along a fire trail. Clothing nearby belonged to Habschied, whose body and that of Neugebauer were later found 50 metres apart. Habschied had been decapitated, and Neugebauer had been shot six times. Several victims did not die instantly, indicating prolonged suffering.
Investigation
The scale and brutality of the murders prompted the formation of Task Force Air on 14 October 1993. More than 20 detectives and analysts worked to examine numerous missing-person cases, with the NSW government increasing the reward to $500,000. Public warnings were issued, especially to international backpackers, against hitchhiking along the Hume Highway.
Investigators used link analysis, combing through vehicle registrations, gym memberships, gun licenses, and internal police records. Forensic evidence revealed similarities: bodies were found in remote bushland, covered with sticks and ferns; many victims had suffered multiple stab wounds; and evidence suggested sexual assault. Matching .22 bullets, shell casings, and cartridge boxes connected the crime scenes. Authorities initially speculated about multiple killers due to the diversity in methods and burial sites.
A crucial breakthrough came from Paul Onions, a British backpacker who had survived an attempted murder in January 1990. Onions identified Milat as his attacker during a 1994 visit to Australia, providing police with a critical eyewitness account.
Arrest and Trial
Milat was arrested on 22 May 1994 at his Eagle Vale home on robbery and weapons charges related to the Onions attack. Police seized multiple firearms, camping gear, and items belonging to the victims. Milat’s brothers’ homes were also searched, uncovering weapons, ammunition, and more victim belongings.
Milat faced a committal hearing from 24 October to 12 December 1994, with over 200 witnesses testifying. His trial opened on 26 March 1996 at the NSW Supreme Court. Despite attempts by Milat’s defense to shift blame to family members, the prosecution, led by Mark Tedeschi, presented overwhelming circumstantial and forensic evidence. After 18 weeks, the jury found Milat guilty, and he received life sentences without parole. He was also convicted of the attempted murder, false imprisonment, and robbery of Onions.
Aftermath and Legacy
Police believe Milat may have been responsible for additional attacks, though insufficient evidence prevented further charges. Cases considered include the disappearances of Keren Rowland, Peter Letcher, and Dianne Pennacchio, among others. Milat’s sister, Shirley Soire, was alleged by his former lawyer to have assisted in the killings of the British backpackers, though she died in 2003.
The Backpacker Murders left a lasting impact on travel culture in Australia. Hitchhiking became increasingly rare, and backpackers adopted new safety measures. Milat’s crimes continue to be referenced in discussions of Australian criminal history, highlighting the intersection of forensic science, law enforcement innovation, and media attention in solving serial murder cases.
