Canberra, Australia — For over three decades, Hugh Hughes, a retired detective from London’s Metropolitan Police, has been dedicated to uncovering the truth behind the disappearance and murder of Keren Rowland, his wife Andrea’s cousin. Rowland vanished from Canberra on February 26, 1971, and Hughes firmly believes she may have been the initial victim of infamous serial killer Ivan Milat.
Milat, who was convicted in 1994 for the murders of seven backpackers, operated in the rugged Belanglo State Forest, where his heinous crimes were uncovered. He died in 2019 while serving a life sentence, but some, like New South Wales Legislative Council member Jeremy Buckingham, think Milat may have killed numerous others, including Rowland.
Buckingham has now spearheaded efforts to establish a parliamentary inquiry focusing on unsolved murders and missing persons cases spanning from 1965 to 2010. Submissions for this inquiry will open next week, and Buckingham believes the findings may reveal that Milat’s terror extended to over 80 victims.
The inquiry gained momentum after Buckingham presented historical evidence linking Milat to unresolved cases, including a forensic identikit of a suspect in the Wanda Beach murders. He argues that systemic flaws in the justice system may have shielded Milat from prosecution for years.
“My sole focus is Keren,” Hughes states, expressing his conviction that Rowland was likely Milat’s first victim. On the night she disappeared, the young woman, five months pregnant, was en route to a party when she never returned home. Her car was later discovered on a suburban road, and three months later, her remains were found.
Hughes and Rowland’s brother, Steve, have made it their mission to investigate the handling of the case by Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales police. Despite using freedom of information requests, their attempts to obtain details about the ongoing investigation have been met with resistance. According to Hughes, Milat was identified as a suspect shortly after Rowland’s disappearance, though this information has not been made public.
Evidence suggests Milat had connections to the area where Rowland’s body was located. The NSW government confirmed that Milat worked at a nearby water depot during that time, despite not specifying his exact location.
In the weeks following Rowland’s kidnapping, Milat was charged with the abduction and rape of two young women. Though arrested, he fled to New Zealand and was acquitted in a subsequent trial due to questionable defense tactics that focused on the victims’ personal histories.
Buckingham’s fascination with Milat and other unsolved cases began with a personal investigation into a missing person in Bellingen. He notes that if Milat had a tendency for violence, it is likely he would have continued his murderous spree after Rowland’s case.
The inquiry aims to explore connections between Milat and a number of other unresolved disappearances. Taskforce Air, which investigated the Belanglo murders, identified cases with similarities to Milat’s modus operandi, including other young victims who disappeared under comparable circumstances.
As hopes rise for renewed investigations, Hughes expresses cautious optimism that the inquiry may finally bring closure to Rowland’s family. A spokesperson for the NSW police affirmed their commitment to cooperating with the inquiry, emphasizing their ongoing efforts toward solving cold cases.
Police Minister Yasmin Catley reinforced the significance of the inquiry, vowing continued efforts to achieve justice for victims and their families. Hearings are scheduled to begin in mid-2026, and supporters remain hopeful that this renewed focus will lead to long-awaited answers.