$1m reward for information over Carrington double murder cold case

newy.com.au – A $1 million reward has been announced for information into the unsolved murders of Susan Kay and Joanne Teterin, whose bodies were found inside a Carrington home 26 years ago.

The NSW Government and NSW Police Force have increased the reward as homicide detectives continue to investigate the deaths of Ms Kay, 32, and Ms Teterin, 37, after a review uncovered fresh forensic opportunities that have become the focus of renewed inquiries.

Shortly before midday on Wednesday 17 May 2000, police forced their way into a home on Doran Street, Carrington, where they found the two women dead. Investigators established they were last known to be alive on Thursday 11 May 2000, before they were allegedly bludgeoned to death and discovered about a week later.

Detectives attached to Homicide and Serious Crime Agencies assisted Newcastle Police with the original investigation, but no arrests were made and no charges were laid over the killings.

Following a coronial inquest in 2003, the matter was referred to the Homicide Squad’s Unsolved Homicide Unit for review and assessment. During that period, detectives announced a $100,000 reward for information into the women’s deaths.

Police say a review finalised in 2025 identified fresh forensic opportunities, with investigators now appealing for information about any person or people responsible for the murders of Susan Kay and Joanne Teterin.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the increased reward reflected the ongoing determination to secure answers for the families of the two women, who had endured years of uncertainty and grief.

“Our police do not walk away from cases like this. Detectives have spent years chasing every lead, revisiting every detail and refusing to let these women become forgotten victims and today’s reward is a clear message that this investigation is far from over.”

“Someone out there knows something. It might be a conversation they overheard, something they saw years ago, or a detail they never thought mattered – but it could be the missing piece police need.”

“These families have lived with unimaginable grief and unanswered questions for far too long. If you have information, no matter how small, come forward now and help police finally deliver the answers they deserve.”

Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi, said he was confident someone in the community had information that could help investigators.

“It has now been 26 years since Susan Kay and Joanne Teterin were found deceased. These women were loved, they were valued, and they were taken from their families in the most violent way,” Det Supt Doueihi said.

“Over that period, detectives have continued to review material, re-test exhibits and pursue new lines of inquiry – avenues that have only become possible with the passage of time.

“We’re now hoping that same passage of time may encourage someone to come forward with information.

“We are appealing to the community to help us give their families the answers, the accountability and the closure they deserve.”

Susan Kay’s daughter Samantha Kay said her family had carried the pain of losing her mother for 26 years.

“My mother was brutally taken from us on Mother’s Day, 2000. I was only nine years old when I was told the person I loved most in the world was never coming home. In an instant, my childhood was shattered. Every milestone, every birthday, every hard moment in life has been lived with the ache of her absence,” Samantha said.

“While we have spent decades grieving, searching for answers and trying to rebuild what was broken, the person responsible has remained free. Somewhere, someone knows what happened to Mum.”

“After all these years, we are simply asking for the truth – so my mum can finally have justice, and our family can finally have peace.’

Susan’s sister Desiree said she hoped the increased reward would motivate someone to speak to police.

“Susan is so much more than a news headline – she is a mother, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and she has grandsons and great nieces and nephews she never got to meet. She remains very much loved, often spoken about, and very much missed,” Desiree said.

“Anyone who knows, or even suspects something, to come forward and help us have a resolution to this aspect of our grief at last.”

“We also hope that today’s announcement makes the person responsible realise that this has not gone away, that it will never go away, and that there will never be a time they can relax.”

Join the discussion on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1N9WhG4btx/