New reward for Bernadette Ann Liston's murder

On October 25, 2002, Bernadette Ann Liston, aged 46, was found murdered in her house on Ives Cresent, Victor Harbor. She had been bashed, stabbed, shot with a .22 calibre weapon and her throat had been cut.

Ms Liston died as a result of massive blood loss.

Her partner, Frankie Marshall, was arrested for the murder but was acquitted at trial. Amendments to the Criminal Law Consolidation Act 1935 create the possibility of retrying previously acquitted persons if new and compelling evidence is uncovered.

Ms Marshall was arrested in August 2008, six years after Ms Liston’s body was discovered. At the time, the murder was described as being the first to occur in Victor Harbor in living memory.

On March 22, police minister Tony Piccolo announced a reward of $200,000 will be offered for 53 unsolved murders.

“These are the gravest of crimes with a high public interest,” Minister Piccolo said.

“SAPOL have exhausted all current major lines of enquiry and we hope that the offer of rewards may produce further information that helps identify those responsible for these crimes.”

Assistant Commissioner Paul Dickson said anyone who thinks the passage of time means some murders are unlikely to ever be solved, should think again.

“Increased police resources and enhanced technology are proving otherwise,” Mr Dickson said.

“In the past two years alone, police have charged four offenders for committing murders from 34, 24, 13 and 10 years ago.

“If there’s something you know, something you recall or something you could never forget and you’ve just been waiting for the right time; that time is now.”

One of the unsolved murders police are seeking information on occurred in 1966.

Members of the public who have information about the major crimes are encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at sa.crimestoppers.com.au