IN 1981 former Moriah College student Sallie-Anne Huckstepp bravely went on national television and said that police officer Roger Rogerson was a murderer.
Within hours there was a contract on her life for naming Rogerson during the 60 Minutes interview.
Five years later Huckstepp was found floating in Busby’s Pond in Centennial Park, only hundreds of metres away from where her former school is located today.
She had been strangled and drowned.
Her revelations in 1981 were seen by many as accusations from a heroin addict and prostitute who was desperate for attention, but over the last 35 years people have increasingly realised that she played a vital role in revealing corruption within NSW Police.
Last week, a jury agreed with Huckstepp for the first time, when Rogerson was found guilty of murdering Sydney man Jamie Gao during a drug deal.
The court’s decision opened up old wounds and some say vindicated Huckstepp’s warning in 1981.
Following her TV appearance, Huckstepp’s sister Debra Krivoshow said, “Sallie knew that she had a bounty on her head because she spoke out about Rogerson and his gang of criminals. She knew her time was limited.”
That view was echoed this week by Huckstepp’s daughter Sascha, who was only 12 when her mother died.
Speaking on 60 Minutes this week, she said she always knew Rogerson was a criminal and blamed him for her mother’s murder.
“He wanted her dead,” Sascha stated.
“He was being groomed for bigger and greater things, and I think that was a big part of his anger and resentment towards my mother.
“Once my mother spoke up, that was going to be a little bit difficult.”
According to Sascha, Rogerson shattered her life.
“He stole my mother from me. He stole my adolescence.”
Comedian Sandy Gutman, who went to Moriah and South Head Synagogue with Huckstepp, said it’s about time that Rogerson was held to account for being a criminal.
“I’m glad that Roger Rogerson, the murderer and sociopath, will finally get what he deserves,” Gutman, who goes by the stage name Austen Tayshus, said.
“I knew her well growing up and I remember going to her place for Shabbat,” Gutman said.
“She was a beautiful sweet Jewish girl when I knew her and her story was tragic.”
JOSHUA LEVI
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