Joseph Schwab
Encyclopedia
Joseph Schwab was a serial killer who murdered five tourists in the Northern Territory
and Western Australia
in June 1987. Schwab was dubbed "The Kimberley Killer" by the Australia
n press after the region in which he committed the murders.
Days later three tourists–a newly engaged couple and their friend–were shot dead at Pentecost River Crossing near Wyndham, Western Australia
. A seven-member team of police officers from the Tactical Response Group and an officer from the forensic division were sent by chartered aircraft from Perth to Kununurra to assist Kimberley police with the investigation.
A helicopter pilot, Peter Leutenegger, from Napier Downs station, raised the alarm after spotting a camouflaged vehicle in bushland
near Fitzroy Crossing. Because police were uncertain as to whether the vehicle belonged to the gunman they deployed an airplane to flush him out. A man armed with a semi-automatic weapon emerged from the bushes and fired at the police and the plane. Police returned fire, killing the gunman.
The killer was identified as Joseph Schwab, a 26-year-old German tourist. A security guard in his native country, his motive for the killings is unknown.
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
and Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
in June 1987. Schwab was dubbed "The Kimberley Killer" by the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n press after the region in which he committed the murders.
Killings
In June 1987, a father and son were shot dead while fishing on the Victoria River in the Northern Territory. Police were unable to determine a motive and roadblocks were set up, but the killer escaped capture.Days later three tourists–a newly engaged couple and their friend–were shot dead at Pentecost River Crossing near Wyndham, Western Australia
Wyndham, Western Australia
Wyndham is the oldest and northernmost town in the Kimberley region of Western Australia, located on the Great Northern Highway, northeast of Perth. It was established in 1885 as a result of a gold rush at Halls Creek, and it is now a port and service centre for the east Kimberley with a...
. A seven-member team of police officers from the Tactical Response Group and an officer from the forensic division were sent by chartered aircraft from Perth to Kununurra to assist Kimberley police with the investigation.
A helicopter pilot, Peter Leutenegger, from Napier Downs station, raised the alarm after spotting a camouflaged vehicle in bushland
Bushland
Bushland is any area in Australia that is predominantly indigenous flora and fauna.Bushland is the term commonly used by conservation protection groups and other environmental groups as a blanket term for natural vegetation, which may cover any kind of habitat from open shrubby country with few...
near Fitzroy Crossing. Because police were uncertain as to whether the vehicle belonged to the gunman they deployed an airplane to flush him out. A man armed with a semi-automatic weapon emerged from the bushes and fired at the police and the plane. Police returned fire, killing the gunman.
The killer was identified as Joseph Schwab, a 26-year-old German tourist. A security guard in his native country, his motive for the killings is unknown.
Victims
Names of victims:- Marcus Bullen
- Lance Bullen
- Phillip Walkemeyer
- Julie Warren
- Terry Bolt