Witness: William Tyrrell - Episode 14: Margaret

Release Date: May 20, 2025
Host/Author: news.com.au

Introduction to Margaret Cox's Case

In Episode 14 of Witness: William Tyrrell, host Dan Box and co-host Nina delve into the unsolved murder of Margaret Cox, a 38-year-old single mother who disappeared on the night of December 19, 1996, in Taree, New South Wales. Last seen at a service station near Mud Bishop's Point Reserve, Margaret’s body was discovered two days later in the Manning River, her death ruled as resulting from blunt force trauma and sexual assault.

The 1996 Investigation

Nina narrates the harrowing details of Margaret’s last known activities. On the night she vanished, Margaret was part of a group consuming alcohol and marijuana before heading to a nightclub in Taree. Witnesses reported conflicting accounts of her time at the service station:

• "Two people who worked at the service station told police they saw Margaret with either another man, two men who bought a cigarette lighter and then left." (06:18)
• "Someone else told the police that he saw Margaret at the service station surrounded by a group of men and screaming." (06:28)

The investigation quickly focused on the theory that a local individual was responsible, given the secluded nature of the area at night. Despite extensive efforts, including thousands of inquiries and multiple police teams from Newcastle, the case remains unsolved. The coroner’s inquest in 2010 concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine the exact circumstances of Margaret’s death or identify her killer.

Introduction of Frank Abbott

Frank Abbott emerges as a pivotal figure linking Margaret’s case to other unsolved crimes. Abbott, a Gold Coast businessman serving time for child sex offenses, was previously acquitted in the murder trial of Helen Harrison in 1991.

Gary Jubilin, a former detective involved in both the Margaret and William Tyrrell cases, shares his reservations about Abbott:

"He was just. There was just something about Frank. I didn't like him and I never liked him... he was just creepy." (45:10)

Despite these personal observations, there has been a lack of substantial police investigation into Abbott's potential connections to Margaret’s murder.

Recent Developments from the William Tyrrell Inquest

A significant breakthrough occurs when a witness statement from Iris Northam surfaces during the inquest into William Tyrrell’s disappearance. Iris, along with her husband Dooley, reveals startling information:

"In her witness statement to the William Tyrrell inquest, Iris explains how she first met Frank Abbott." (17:26)

Iris claims that her friend Noel Sonter observed Margaret at Frank Abbott’s residence shortly before her disappearance, noting she had a bandage on her arm—an injury consistent with hospital treatment for an infection.

Interviews and Key Insights

Dave Woolnow, the detective who led the original Margaret Cox investigation, expresses regret over the unresolved case:

"He's a good man who did his best with the investigation and who deeply regrets not being able to give Margaret's family an answer as to who killed her." (29:59)

Meanwhile, Gary Jubilin criticizes the depth of the police investigation into Frank Abbott:

"My personal opinion is I don't think they've investigated Frank Abbott enough." (42:42)

Iris and her husband recount their attempts to inform authorities about the new information, only to be met with indifference:

"One of the girls that was with him said, oh, we'll mention it to the cold case detectives." (37:59)

However, five years after Iris provided her statement, there has been no follow-up from the police regarding her claims.

Potential New Evidence and Police Inaction

Nina and Dan explore the implications of Iris's statement, connecting Margaret’s hospital discharge with her alleged sighting at Frank Abbott’s house. This association raises significant questions about Abbott's potential involvement.

"So that puts her at Frank's house the day she went missing." (32:25)

Despite the compelling nature of this connection, the police have not pursued this lead. Efforts to contact Noel Sonter have yielded limited information, with Noel unable to recall specific details about the woman he saw with Frank.

Gary Jubilin remains skeptical yet concerned about the lack of investigation:

"Frank's name didn't come up in the investigation." (34:07)
"We’ve all said all along that the police never investigated Frank enough." (45:08)

Implications and Ongoing Mystery

As the episode concludes, Witness highlights the intertwining of Margaret Cox’s unsolved murder with other cold cases in the New South Wales north coast region. The emergence of Task Force Metz, a dedicated unit that previously sought connections between multiple unsolved murders, adds another layer of complexity.

The persistent lack of communication and action from law enforcement leaves Margaret Cox’s family without closure and raises critical questions about the efficacy of cold case investigations.

"As we learn more about Margaret's death, that begins to seem completely inexplicable because we learn there was once a dedicated police task force called Task Force Metz, who reportedly looked for any links between Margaret's killing and three other unsolved murders." (44:08)

Conclusion and Next Steps

Episode 14 effectively uncovers the lingering shadows of Margaret Cox’s tragic death while intertwining it with the ongoing mystery of William Tyrrell’s disappearance. By revealing potential connections to Frank Abbott and highlighting the gaps in police investigations, the podcast urges renewed attention and comprehensive inquiry into these unresolved cases.

Listeners are left anticipating the next installment, which promises to explore further connections and possibly shed new light on these enduring mysteries.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Nina:

  "I'm waiting for you to say so, Dan, where are we?" (00:10)

• Dan Box:

  "Well, I was gonna say where we were." (00:14)

• Iris Northam:

  "That woman had a bandage or something on her arm." (27:45)

• Gary Jubilin:

  "He had a beautiful daughter. She was gorgeous. She was really lovely." (45:35)

• Dan Box:

  "They never investigated Frank enough." (42:42)

Credits:

• Executive Producer: Nina Young
• Sound Design: Tiffany Dimmack
• Producers: Emily Pidgeon, Nicholas Adams Jasbar, Phoebe Zukowski Wallace, Tabby Wilson
• Research: Aidan Patrick
• Original Music: Rory O'Connor
• Lawyer: Stephen Coombs
• Editor: Kerry Warren

If you have any information regarding Margaret Cox's or William Tyrrell's cases, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or email witness@news.com.au.