Fifty-year-old grandmother Margaret Gall lived in the quiet town of Raymond Terrace in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. On March 25, 2002, she was found dead in the lounge room of her home by her partner.
The victim had died of extensive head wounds from a blunt instrument. The nature of her injuries suggested a targeted and brutal attack, leaving the community in shock and prompting an immediate response from law enforcement. The investigation, named Strike Force Varberg, was formed to probe the circumstances of her death, involving detectives from the homicide squad and the Port Stephens Local Area Command.
In 2011, nearly a decade after the murder, police made a significant breakthrough. Anne Maree Wotherspoon, a twenty-seven-year-old woman from Hamilton South, was arrested in Newcastle’s central business district and charged with murder. She was initially refused bail. Subsequently, a second woman, aged forty-five, from Ballina, was also arrested and charged in connection with the alleged bashing death of Margaret Gall. Two additional individuals were later charged for their alleged involvement, raising hopes that justice was near.
However, in April 2012, the case took a significant turn when prosecutors dropped charges against all three accused individuals. A critical blow came in late 2013 when the Supreme Court of New South Wales ruled that Wotherspoon’s confession was unreliable, further complicating the investigation and leaving it without actionable leads.
Authorities continue to urge anyone with information about the murder of Margaret Gall to come forward. The $100,000 reward remains active, and police emphasize that even seemingly minor details could be crucial in solving this case. Contacting Crime Stoppers or the Port Stephens Local Area Command could provide the breakthrough needed to bring closure to Margaret Gall’s family.
Crime Immemorial 