Twenty-three years ago, an 11-year-old boy on his way to a comic book shop on a sunny Monday morning was snatched from a Rockingham street and murdered.
What makes the case of Gerard Ross all the more tragic is that police believe there are people in the WA community who know what happened, who hold vital information, but have remained silent.
The state government on Wednesday announced it would pay a reward of up to $1 million for information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of those responsible.
The announcement was made by Police Minister Michelle Roberts on what is the 23rd anniversary of Gerard's abduction.
A $100,000 reward was previously in place.
The Government says it may be prepared to consider recommending protection from prosecution, or pardon for any informant with information that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the abduction and homicide.
"The tragedy of Gerard's disappearance and murder has not grown less with the years," Ms Roberts said.
"Today Gerard should be a young man, perhaps with a family of his own. He was robbed of that future and his parents were robbed of that future.
"As a community, these are the crimes that cut right at our sense of who we are. I hope that with this added incentive, we can come closer to resolving the murder.
"I know that our police will never give up on pursuing justice for Gerard."
Heinous crime
It was on the morning of October 14, 1997 that Gerard was abducted near Kent Street in Rockingham as he walked to a comic book store.
His brother, who was on roller blades, went ahead having agreed to meet Gerard there.
But Gerard never arrived.
His body was found in Karnup, not far from Rockingham, on October 28, 1997.
A small amount of money given to him by his mother was reportedly still in his pocket.
The only personal item never found of his was his New York Yankees baseball cap, similar to the one pictured below. It remains a key line of inquiry for police.
Gerard and his family lived in the Pilbara town of Newman but were on holidays in Rockingham, staying at 105 Kent Street.
The last confirmed sighting of Gerard was "in the vicinity" of 99 Kent Street, just a few doors down.
Anyone with information regarding Gerard's abduction and murder should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Daniela Cooper
Daniela has returned to her first love after a decade of working in local, state and federal governments, non-profits and the corporate world. She has a passion for injustice; to be a voice for those who don't have one; to hold power to account; and to bring readers the news without fear. She loves to explore new places and unfamiliar topics (both in her professional and private life) but her go-to loves are travel, health, social justice, foreign affairs and the outdoors. Email daniela.cooper@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Daniela has returned to her first love after a decade of working in local, state and federal governments, non-profits and the corporate world. She has a passion for injustice; to be a voice for those who don't have one; to hold power to account; and to bring readers the news without fear. She loves to explore new places and unfamiliar topics (both in her professional and private life) but her go-to loves are travel, health, social justice, foreign affairs and the outdoors. Email daniela.cooper@austcommunitymedia.com.au
