Bendigo CBD killings have many similarities

By Nicole Ferrie
Updated November 7 2012 - 6:14am, first published October 18 2011 - 10:50am
Bendigo CBD killings have many similarities
Bendigo CBD killings have many similarities

AS the killer responsible for one of the city’s most gruesome crimes comes up for parole, the city is again in shock after a slaying with many parallels.Just days ago on October 6, William Ian Miller was eligible for parole.Those who lived in Bendigo in 1994 will never forget when he wrenched a knife into Mary Katai up to a dozen times in a View Street antique shop.The brutal and bloody murder sent shockwaves across the city, particularly among CBD traders.It was 4.30pm on a Thursday. Miss Katai was working part time to fund her university studies and had retreated to the back room between customers to study for her humanities course. Her attacker struck from behind, knocking her to the floor with a heavy object and fracturing her skull before driving a knife into her neck and upper body time and again. Robbery was not a motive. It was cold-blooded murder – a killing that had shop owners on edge until Miller approached police and confessed seven days later.He told police he used his lucky knife to stab Ms Katai to death, wrenching it in her throat several times.As he left the scene, Miller calmly told a customer who had entered the store that the owner was out and would be back in 10 minutes.He then made his escape.There are many similarities to this week’s slaying of newsagent Garry Angus.Both occurred in the CBD, where business owners go about their routines day and night trusting the public with their safety.Police described both murders as frenzied – horrific scenes where the victims had been brutally violated.Both victims were alone at the time of their death. They each suffered multiple stab wounds.Ms Katai’s body was found in a locked room at the rear of the premises. Mr Angus’s body was believed to also be at the rear of his shop.There were few witnesses and appeals were made for public assistance.Many similarities, but so far one major difference – in Miller’s case, witnesses came forward and helped send him to jail for a minimum of 18 years and maximum of 22. He remains behind bars. Garry Angus’s killer is not.If you have any information, phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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