November 22, 2016 - 10:01AM Advertiser
POLICE are steadily unravelling the mystery disappearance
and possible murder of two people after linking them to a
Whyalla man who is a suspect in at least one of the cold
cases.
Operation Persist investigators say they have connected one
suspect to the 2009 disappearance of Henry “Harry” Houston, of
Whyalla, and that of Pennington mother-of-two, Karen Morton, 35,
who vanished seven years earlier.
Police have established that the suspect in the Houston case
once lived at a Pennington address with Ms Morton, who was
reported missing in April 2002.
Neither missing person knew the other but both were closely
associated with the Whyalla man, police say.
“While Ms Morton’s link with her former housemate is of interest
to police, we have an open mind about who was involved in her
disappearance and presumed murder,” Major Crime Investigation
Branch Detective Superintendent Des Bray said.
The Major Crime Investigation Branch is leading the operation.
Ms Morton was last seen by her father on February 9, 2002, but
the last confirmed sighting of her was on April 5, 2002, when
she visited her doctor.
An insulin-dependent diabetic who was addicted to heroin, Ms
Morton frequented Adelaide’s western suburbs and sometimes
engaged in sex work to fund her drug habit.
Mr Houston also had a history with illegal drugs and would make
a daily visit at Whyalla’s Westlands Shopping Centre to collect
methadone from the Monarch Pharmacy, which he did at 9am on
October, 30, 2009.
At midday the same day, he visited a female friend in Whyalla
and after leaving her home about 12.30pm he vanished.
His distinctive red Toyota 4Runner was seen 30 minutes later
parked in the driveway of the suspect’s home.
Det-Supt Bray said that man later told police Mr Houston had
sold him the vehicle but the mystery continues.
“We never close unsolved major crime cases in South Australia
and since renewed police and media attention regarding these
cases last year, there have been 11 reports to Crime Stoppers,”
Det-Supt Bray said.
“We know that one simple piece of information can be all it
takes to put a killer in jail and bring some justice to the
families of those who are missing.’’
Some people are withholding information that could give police
critical facts needed to solve both cold cases and ease the pain
for the grieving families involved, Det-Supt Bray said
“These families deserve some answers and I would urge those
holding on to that information to examine their consciences,’’
he said.
“Information, such as where we can find Harry and Karen, can be
provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers.
“Rewards of $200,000 are available for anyone with information
leading to either a conviction or recovery of the remains in
both of these cases.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at
1800 333 000 or on the Crime
Stoppers website.