Murder of Michelle Bright

Michelle Bright was a 17-year-old girl who was found raped and murdered in New South Wales, Australia.

She was last seen at 12:45 am on 27 February 1999 by a friend who dropped her off in Mayne Street, Gulgong following a friend's 15th birthday party that day.[1] The Minister for Police, Michael Daley, announced that the NSW Government offered a reward of $500,000 to solve the murder of Bright, the second-highest reward offered in NSW (the highest being the reward offered for the recovery of William Tyrrell).[2] The police regarded Bright's death as a horrific crime.[3]

On 10 August 2020, the reward was raised to $1,000,000.[4] The following day, 53-year-old Craig Henry Rumsby, a former neighbour of Bright's, was arrested for her murder, and also an assault with intent to rape against an 18-year-old committed in 1998.[5]

On 30 June 2023, Rumsby was found guilty of Bright's murder and the assault on the 18-year-old.[6] [7]

On 7 August 2023, Justice Robert Allan Hulme sentenced Rumsby to 32 years imprisonment with a non-parole period of 24 years: Rumsby will be eligible for parole in 2044, at the age of 77.

References edit

  1. ^ "Who killed Michelle? A family needs closure". Tim Barlass, The Sydney Morning Herald. 23 March 2014.
  2. ^ O’Neill, Marnie (25 February 2017). "Aussie mother begs daughter's killer to break 18-year silence and turn himself in". News.com.au. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Reward of $500,000 to solve the murder of Michelle Bright". NSW Government of Australia.
  4. ^ Austin, Madeline (3 June 2022). "Man to face trial over 1999 murder of Michelle Bright in Central West". ABC News. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
  5. ^ Emma Partridge and Mary Ward (12 August 2020). "Former neighbour charged with murder over Michelle Bright's murder". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  6. ^ "Craig Rumsby found guilty of murdering teenager Michelle Bright more than two decades after her death". The Guardian. Australian Associated Press. 30 June 2023. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
  7. ^ Marlan, Zaarkacha (30 June 2023). "Michelle Bright, 17, was murdered in 1999. On Friday a jury found Craig Rumsby guilty of killing her and dumping her body". ABC News. Retrieved 30 June 2023.