A former detective who headed up the original inquiry into Hayley Dodd's murder says he hopes proposed 'no body no parole' laws are passed in WA soon, so as to encourage Francis Wark to give up Hayley's remains.
He will be sentenced next week.
Eddie Rowe was the original senior investigating officer of Operation Bluegum, the long-running police investigation into Hayley's case.
Mr Rowe and the original inquiry team members stayed in nearby Moora for several weeks in 1999 as they traced Hayley's last known movements and interviewed suspects.
Mr Rowe later reviewed two statements made by Wark in August 1999, and shortly became aware of the fact a ute Wark had access to had been driven on North West Road on July 29, 1999, the day Hayley vanished.
He then ordered the ute be seized and examined.
Years later, an earring was found inside the ute, which matched a sketch drawn by Hayley's friend of the earring she was wearing the day she vanished.
A piece of hair prosecutors said belonged to Hayley was also found in the ute's passenger footwell.
Mr Rowe, who left WA Police in 2004, gave evidence at the Supreme Court trial last year and was in court on Monday to hear the verdict.
"Its been a long time coming," Mr Rowe told WAtoday.
"I am glad it's over. I hope the government pushes through the 'no body no parole' legislation, so Wark has an incentive to give up her body."
Outside court, Hayley's sister Toni pleaded for Wark to tell the family where her body was.
"There's no body," she said.
"We need a body for some closure.
"Tell us where Hayley is so we can put her to rest."
In May last year the McGowan Government introduced 'no body, no parole' legislation to State Parliament.
The proposed changes will mean murderers who do not disclose the location of their victim's remains will no longer be eligible for parole.
Hayley's mother Margaret has been a long-time supporter of the law.
The legislation passed the WA Legislative Assembly in June but has not yet passed the Legislative Council.
"We hope it will pass soon after the council resumes in March," a spokesperson for the Attorney General said on Monday.
