Arrest in alleged gay-hate murder
A MAN has been arrested over the suspected gay-hate murder of 27-year-old Sydney-based American mathematician Scott Johnson more than three decades ago.
A 49-year-old man was arrested yesterday at a Lane Cove property in Sydney’s northern suburbs and taken to Chatswood Police Station for questioning. Three coronial inquests have been held into Mr Johnson’s death after he was found at the base of a cliff near Manly’s North Head on December 10, 1988.
In the first coronial inquest his death was ruled to be a suicide. However, the third inquest in 2017 found Mr Johnson fell from the cliff top due to violence by an unidentified attacker who perceived him to be gay.
A $1 million reward for information leading to an arrest in the case was offered in 2018 and Mr Johnson’s family in March pledged to match that.
NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller yesterday said in a statement he’d been in contact with Mr Johnson’s Us-based brother Steve to inform him of the arrest.
“Making that phone call this morning is a career highlight – Steve has fought so hard for so many years and it has been an honour be part of his fight for justice,” Mr Fuller said.
Steve Johnson, in a statement, said it was an emotional day for his family and his brother had symbolised those who lost their lives due to homophobia-inspired violence.
He thanked NSW Police for their work over the years.
“It’s emotional for me, emotional for my family, my two sisters and brother – who loved Scott dearly, my wife and three kids who never got to know their uncle,” he said.
“(They didn’t have the chance to) admire him because of his brilliance but also because he courageously lived his life as he wanted to.
STEVE HAS FOUGHT SO HARD FOR SO MANY YEARS AND IT HAS BEEN AN HONOUR BE PART OF HIS FIGHT FOR JUSTICE
MICK FULLER
“I hope the friends and families of the other dozens of gay men who lost their lives find solace in what’s happened today and hope it opens the door to resolve some of the other mysterious deaths of men who have not yet received justice.”
A 2018 police review of 88 suspicious deaths between 1976 and 2000 revealed 27 men were likely murdered for their homosexuality, with cases peaking in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
ACON, the state’s leading sexuality and gender-diverse health organisation, said it had been a long and difficult process for Mr Johnson’s family, friends and the LGBTQ community.