Homicide detectives investigating the suspicious disappearance and suspected murder of Currumbin Beach man Iain Stewart Hogg at Tweed Heads and murder of Frederick Hugh Rosson (aka Slim Johnson) at Mount Nathan in 2002 are seeking public assistance after receiving information that a second vehicle is involved.
Following a renewed public appeal last year, police are seeking information in relation to a vehicle similar to a white Ford Laser sedan or a white Toyota Corona sedan observed at the Sanctuary Lake Apartments in Teemangum Street Currumbin around dusk on 10 March 2002.
A witness reported seeing multiple men inside the white vehicle shouting threats of violence while following Mr Hogg's red Toyota celica into the underground carpark.
Police are urging anyone who has information in relation to the white vehicle and the person or persons associated with the vehicle or Mr Hogg's red Celica to come forward and contact police.
As part of ongoing investigations there has seen significant forensic developments in areas such as DNA and ballistics, resulting in new evidence being located which is progressing further lines of inquiry.
Detective Inspector Mark Mooney from Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch said police were making progress on the investigation.
"We can confirm we have received new information since our public appeal and combined reward announcement with NSW Police in October last year and we thank those people for coming forward," Detective Inspector Mooney said.
"A number of lines of inquiry are being examined, and while we cannot go into detail around investigative strategies, we are confident that information in relation to the white vehicle may be vital to solving Mr Hogg's disappearance and the subsequent murder of Mr Rosson, whereby Mr Hogg's red Toyota celica is believed to have been used.
"We are continuing to conduct enquiries and appeal for anyone who may have information to make contact with us.'
A $500,000 reward remains on offer in both Queensland and New South Wales for information that leads to the conviction of the person, or persons, found to be responsible the murder of Mr Hogg and Mr Rosson.
Iain Hogg, 45 years was reported missing on March 12, 2002, by his elderly mother after he failed to attend his workplace as a manager of a liquor store at Burleigh the day before. His red 1992 Toyota Celica coupe with Queensland registration 861 GBW was also reported missing at the time.
He was reportedly last seen driving the red Celica into his apartment at Teemangum Street at Currumbin Beach in the late afternoon of March 10, 2002. Investigators were able to establish that Mr Hogg spoke to his mother via telephone at 6pm that evening and he has not been located since.
During subsequent investigations witnesses told police between 1am and 3am (New South Wales time) on Monday March 11, 2002, Mr Hogg's Celica was observed to drive and park in a carpark area near the Volunteer Marine Rescue Boat pontoon on the northern bank of Tweed River in Coral Street, Tweed Heads.
Witnesses overlooking the Coral Street area at that time saw a number of people around the vehicle, then a flash followed by a loud bang, believed to be from the discharging of a firearm. This location is immediately adjacent to the Tweed River mouth northern rock wall, and it is believed that Mr Hogg's body was placed into the river at this time.
On March 14, 2002, four days after the last known sighting of Mr Hogg, Mr Frederick Hugh Rosson aka Charles 'Slim' Johnson, 67 years was shot and murdered at his Pademelon Pass residence at Mt Nathan during which a 9mm CZ handgun and ammunition was stolen.
Investigators believe Mr Rosson was in the process of selling this handgun, which had been advertised via the Trading Post classifieds and was contacted by a man from the Coolangatta/Tweed Heads area by telephone at that time inquiring about the purchase of this firearm.
Witnesses have told police they saw two men driving a red Celica which visited Mr Rosson at the time of his murder.
On March 20, 2002, Mr Hogg's red Celica vehicle was located by police abandoned in 15th Avenue, Palm Beach with subsequent investigations forensically linking the vehicle to both offences.
Investigators believe both men are not involved in any criminal activity and have no know association to each other.
The $500,000 Queensland Government Reward is for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Mr Rosson. The Government reward further offers an opportunity for indemnity against prosecution for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the murder, who first gives such information.
Previous media release in October 2023: https://mypolice.qld.gov.au/news/2023/10/17/combined-1-million-reward-offered-to-solve-gold-coast-and-northern-new-south-wales-homicide-investigations/
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
