Police put focus on shoe in killer hunt

ANYONE with information about a key piece of evidence that could help identify the potential killer of Cooktown mum Donna Steele is urged to come forward.

A man’s shoe was found following the execution of a crime scene search warrant at Leggett’s Crossing, about 20km north of Cooktown, where Ms Steele’s body was found on August 6.

Detectives decided to publicly release details of the shoe after extensive forensic examination in the hope that the owner of the shoe, or anyone who may have further information, would come forward.

Detective Acting Superintendent Geoff Marsh said it could help eliminate lines of inquiry as well as generate others.

The shoe is described as a black Champion Gusto men’s size 10 jogging shoe with black laces and white rubber sole in very good condition.

“As we move towards the three-month mark of the investigation into the murder of Donna in Cooktown, the momentum of the investigators remains constant,” Insp Marsh said.

He said the pool of significant witnesses remained considerable. Sixteen detectives and one intelligence officer are working on the case.

“We are not leaving Cooktown ... we may even surge more into the community in the coming months prior to Christmas in an attempt to give closure to Donna’s family prior to the end of the year,” he said. “They (Cooktown residents) too believe that the murderer is known within the town and they hope that eventually the civic conscience of people that know what happened will come to the fore and they will provide that information to detectives. “The matter can be solved.” Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, 24 hours a day.