Who Shot Kevin Pearce? | Million Dollar Murders | Australian Crime

Kevin Pearce ran a freight distribution business when one night a fatal bullet lodged in his spine after being shot by a sniper. MDM follows fresh evidence to help solve the case. A 25 Year Old Bendigo Murder Mystery.
Murders, kidnappings, hate crimes and mysterious disappearances, these are the toughest cases for detectives to solve. Retired Detective Deborah Wallace takes viewers inside ongoing investigations of the most chilling murder mysteries, that have a 1 million dollar reward to information to help solve these crimes. All cases can be solved, they’re never cold and police never give up.
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[@Snaerffer]

Former military officer here. You said that the victim or one of the people in the McPhee depot heard a bang and then saw a flash of light. That poses a serious problem, since although light travels faster than sound and you’d normally expect to see the flash before hearing the report, the extremely short distance from weapon to target would make the sound and flash impossible to separate. You just could not look around after hearing the report and then see a flash. Was the person who said this mistaken, or perhaps intentionally lying, or was there a second shot? The “nearly impossible” shot into the depot at night might, in reality, have come from much closer by, say, a sawn-off weapon of the same caliber (which were incredibly common in the 80s) while an accomplice fired a covering shot and left incriminating evidence across the road. It seems almost too easy for the cigarettes and empty casing to have been left behind by accident. Just my thoughts. Something about the actual shooting just isn’t right.

[@sv6110]

Gmjd

[@sv6110]

Sorry meant good thinking

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

Thank you! I thought if that too. I never fired a shot but just from what I know if the relative speeds of light n sound it seemed impossible.

[@kaynefryday6637]

Exactly , smart criminals that get away with there crimes use all sorts of decoys like dropping other peoples smoke butts to lead crap in the wrong direction .

[@johannas.l.brushane2518]

Good point. I thought about that as well. I don't know about the actual lightconditions, maybe the perception is such that it seem to be in the order that a person come to actually realise what has occured? I. e. if he actually percieved the flash in the outer corner of his visible range of perception but the thought process to conclude what happened needed the turn around pushed by the hearing of the shot? Similar questions were raised of a witness in the shooting of swedish PM O. Palme. A taxidriver stopping for a red light in the opposing lane to the pavement where the shooting occured. Though that shooter did fire two shots in a quick sequence. The taxidriver had to explain how he as a driver to profession have a habit to continuisly scan the surroundings, not just the road ahead, in innercity environment for people, children, drunks or people rushing before their mind who may suddenly stray out in the lane. He had not beforehand connected the sound of the shot as such but thought it was the sound from a cars exhaustionpipe (remember it was in the time with mechanically set fuelinjections in the engines). But he might have percieved the flash in the outercorner of his range of vision. Esp in an environment that is partially lit up but otherwise pitch black as soon as a subject is out of range of the flood of lights of streetlamps, shopwindows etc. (Note:partially lit areas may appear darker in a sense, if I waslk in a dark forest I can typically percive movements and counturs of things around me but if in a park with some lamps the areas out of reach of the lights that are directed to the walkpaths then it's pitchblack around the areas around).

[@mortsnerd6053]

It's not unsolved, it's unprosecuted.

[@melissafarrugia9531]

This made me really sad, to see, Kevin staying awake, knowing He wouldn't wake up if he rested. I'm so sorry for the family's loss.

[@bazoena]

R-I-P Kevin 🙏🏿🕊️

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

Although it's a tragic story, I couldn't help sniggering when it emerged that police didn't know Matthews was an SP bookie...after forty years even. Dang, rural communities keep their secrets, don't they? It does emphasize how intimidating Matthews must have been though, that no-one ever even anonymously offered that information.

[@jr7845]

It is incompetence

[@myunknownland9272]

So complicated. How do you solve this 40 years later? Sad for family. 😵

[@javanesemystic]

RIP. Thank you for remembering this 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@maceymunro7194]

Why is Shadab Shery footage included in this as he hasnt spoken to to any of the people of interest. So why bother asking him any questions when he hasnt done any investigations yet??

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

I'm wondering if the decoy rifle was a red herring. There's no reason Matthews couldn't own two rifles of the same make. Hiding it in the shed gave the police another suspect, and could have been used as a blackmail or threat item too. Matthews probably knew the other man well enough to anticipate the weapon being ditched, and therefore was offering another suspect as well as creating a situation where police would be following the wrong trail. Having thought they had the murder weapon and that it had been hidden by Matthews might lead to a false presumption of innocence. As in, ...well we've got Matthews'' rifle but it's not the murder weapon so he's not the shooter....or at least Matthews hoped police would think like that. ETA thinking of horses not zebras though, perhaps Matthews wasn't the shooter, and panicked when he realised a weapon like his had been used so wanted it hidden. And obviously wasn't going to hide it on his property.

[@blueyhis.zarsoff1147]

Who ended up with the Mildura Mail run?

[@dr.calebrobbins.3177]

It would be so easy to solve - if there wee not " loopholes" for people to crawl through ... it makes the crime of MURDER a ' free for all ' - the Law a mere joke that clowns are able to bend to suit their selfish needs.

[@TheVeek192]

Go ahead and solve it, then.

[@maccastime]

Why did Kevin drop his wife off before being shot?

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

It was stated the mail truck they'd gone to meet was running late. I'm assuming....that since it was mail, and they were contracted, the mail bags needed to be signed for. The Aussie Post driver wouldn't have wanted to be delayed even further waiting for Kevin to come back. Kevin's wife would have taken and kept physical custody of the mail, the Post driver could get on his way, and Kevin wouldn't have wasted time waiting, and instead went picking up the freight deliveries. ETA. it did seem strange to me when I first heard it, but then I realised it was mail service and I certainly hope it's not acceptable for the Aussie Post drivers to just dump the mail bags out n go on their merry way! I do know that on Postal flights to remote regions someone has to be at the airfield to meet the plane so I'm guessing the same rules apply to trucks.

[@kerryharding6463]

Yeah, it’s just hearsay until he ends up shot dead, then it’s not just hearsay! He told the police his name, & he’s the only suspect, it’s not that hard……

[@kimberleywilliams5228]

The cop in charge lol 😂 “he is a person of interest ! “ “I certainly haven’t spoken to him. “ Sounds about right - bloody hopeless police didn’t help solve this case .. be easy to solve !

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

I was a bit surprised by that. Also I've just commented on the ridiculousness of police not knowing Matthews was an SP bookie...even after forty years.

[@bilindalaw-morley161]

Is it possible that the cigarette butts truly weren't there the next day, and Diane came back to the scene after the search? Impatient or nervous smoking could result in three butts in just fifteen minutes. Maybe she stood there feeling remorse, or just trying to process what she'd seen. Maybe she was debating going to police. That would certainly explain nervous, rapid smoking.

[@lyndairakleous4131]

Yeah...Their' are many ??? to be answered! Why?because that 'Numty' of a detective hasn't asked them.

[@fortunateson7852]

Why did they interview that cold case detective when he hadn’t even interviewed anyone from the case. Also 44 metres is not a long shot. Certainly not with a rifle anyway.

[@lot6129]

In pitch black and doubt the victim was moving about too

[@lot6129]

Robertson is the key to solving this, she can get the million if she is smart about it

[@TheVeek192]

You go ahead. Sounds like you know what should be done. What are you waiting for?

[@ggurks]

@@TheVeek192 What should he go ahead with? Your comment doesn't make much sense

[@danielkeene1623]

You don't have to be an expert marksman to hit a target as big as a man from 50 yards with a rifle like that. It looks like there's a big floodlight at the front of the building, which would make that shot, an easy shot. Anyone who has been in the military could do it.

[@ianlaws8971]

just awful, I know that it is not easy for the police or prosecutors, but they have a rapidly shrinking window of time with the protagonist or protagonists of this despicable crime now being very elderly, the actual shot sounds like the work of a professional hitman, I hope that it is solved for the sake of the family as it must be agony to live not knowing.

[@katalac]

Omg..Matthew's is the one

[@swampfizz]

maybe someone tried to frame Matthews and stole the butts and planted them but they were really his girlfriends? they had 3 weeks..cops? Kevins family? however it seems a targeted killing since the gunman could have easily shot the warehouse employee at any time? and someone had to know Kevin was gonna pick up that freight? who knew about it?

[@VLavish-lt4kc]

If people can help who to contact?

[@alisonwonderland8680]

Crimestoppers

[@Gunsrgreat4all]

Pot stinks,it will make everything it is around stink like pot. Why would Mr.Pearce want his truck to smell like weed?

[@jeremywentworth1833]

Love my Aussie crime and this program/videovlog million dollar murders , I'm English., Surely the coppers/forensics can't of missed the tabends/cig ends did Robertson come back or did they miss them, she's the 1 who probably well deffo knows if it was a professional hit was she showing someone who what time etc, did she come back because of guilt more like the coppers when it happened missed the cig ends.

[@gregk.6723]

Also prints/dna on the shell casing.

[@phoenixmarine974]

Someone has to know something.

[@TheVeek192]

not so.

[@smelly.ballbag751]

Sad story rip Kevin in gods house now

[@buzzybeemee4254]

It seems the police like telling the story, but never solve anything.

[@serenaleaghgrace5023]

GO GET MATHEWS,,,,,,

[@neenadorsey6554]

Simply ridiculous police work????

[@paulpaul4681]

How useless was the detective who is currently investigating

[@elizabethsohler6516]

Until we do that sort of work, we are not in a position to criticize.

[@Gunsrgreat4all]

Why no coroners inquest? Compel these people to talk. These detectives need a new supervisor. Earn your pay.

[@TheVeek192]

Go ahead.

[@tonyarichards5430]

Shed? ROFLMFAO damn big shed.

[@blueyhis.zarsoff1147]

Typical country term for any size building.

[@lot6129]

Metal frame = shed. Concrete/Brick = factory

[@tonyarichards5430]

@@lot6129 That makes even less sense. Y’all are definitely upside down. Lol

[@blueyhis.zarsoff1147]

@@lot6129 there are some big sheds in OZ...

[@johnwhorfin5150]

why is shuddup sherry even on this show as he has not spoken to any suspects lol. is that the race thing

[@jodyross6185]

I love Donna's unique, attractive style sense

[@mattnolan5527]

mutton dressed as mutton

[@straight.no.chaser1708]

😂😂😂

[@jodyross6185]

@@mattnolan5527 I'm Canadian, and don't know that term

[@mattnolan5527]

@@jodyross6185 it would usually be mutton dressed as lamb but shes just mutton

[@TheVeek192]

irrelevant

[@MikeHunt-rw4gf]

Algorithm.

[@veevivian8975]

Lazy police work. Pathetic.

[@davidmayhew8083]

Snzzzz..

[@VLavish-lt4kc]

I watched it twice and made my notes. From what was represented in here does not point to Bill Matthews nor his girl friend nor Kevin's other ex business partner to be the killer. However it does point to somebody else . Hopefully the detective who was assigned this case after so many years will see what I am seeing and finally bring Kevin's killer to justice. Kevin knew who did it. He never told anyone. Ask yourself why he did not tell?

[@dropbear9526]

I'm hearing ya.

[@jr7845]

I thinking I'm on that path too..fake tears

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

It was Ivan Milat

[@jr7845]

How disrespectful are you

[@gregk.6723]

This new detective is a joke.

[@meredithisme3752]

What an aweful presenter

[@heathergrahame9647]

This is a really complicated matter. Kevin and Bill had a good working relationship. They especially enjoyed each other's company and business at the races. Another bookmaker is the culprit. This bookmaker (who is now dead himself) was intensely angry that Bill Matthews was taking so much business money from him - and doing it as an illegal bookmaker. This gent took the law into his own hands, so to speak. He recruited another person, a hitman, to kill Kevin Pierce. The hitman was a young, blonde-haired man who wore black leather gloves with a few of the fingers cut off (which allowed him to shoot a gun better). I'm told that this young gent was a police trainee at the time. The shooter is still alive. The angry bookmaker is giving me this information. He wants the truth to be told, especially for the sake of the remaining family members. He says he is/was about 6 foot tall, grey hair and with a beard. You will know him. He worked with Bill Matthews and helped Bill to become a bookie. Can you understand why he was so angry? He helped Bill but then Bill turned around and did things illegally with Kevin, which had a negative effect on his own legal bookie business. He was primarily angry with Bill - hence Bill is not innocent of a crime, however Bill did not commit murder or arrange for Kevin's murder. It was this angry bookie who arranged for the murder. And he did it in a way which sought to frame Bill. Prior to the murder, this angry bookie had spread lies so as to create mistrust and disagreement between Kevin and Bill. He wanted to dissolve their arrangement. Apparently, Kevin started asking questions so as to find out the facts, and this angry bookie became worried that he would be found out. He spread lies, and those lies created a lot of confusion and paranoia in Kevin especially. As time went on, the angry bookie had to work harder at spreading lies and began trying to frame Bill Matthews. He tried threats but the threats weren't working. In the end, he paid the young, blonde hitman to have Kevin taken out. It is sad. All those who have departed agree that it is very sad. For what it's worth, from the other side, Kevin has soooo much love for Donna and his other children.

[@heathergrahame9647]

The young, blonde-haired man is short. How large was the patch of grass which had been laid on?

[@heathergrahame9647]

He was there at EVERY milestone, Donna. He is there always.

[@heathergrahame9647]

I've been given the word "Gemini". I think this is the star sign of the young, blonde man who murdered Kevin and also the make of the car he drove. He himself liked the fact that he was a Gemini and drove a Gemini. It was one of the reasons he chose to drive the car in the first place. This young man was only 19 at the time. He was extremely impressionable and eager to participate in important jobs. This is going to sound weird, but I think he was born in the Chinese year of the Pig. The angry bookie was a man of stature, authority, and rank. Young Gemini felt he was doing important work for an important man.

[@ArtVandelayOfficial]

It's well known to have been Ivan Milat

[@jr7845]

It's not complicated, it's presented that way!

Who CARES about Kevin Pearce?

[@laceyavron]

Who cares about you mate?

[@GearHeadBoris]

I cried when I saw the footage of the service station. 52 cents a litre petrol... ahh those were the days😔

[@lovefootball94]

Hahahaha so true bro 😂😂😂 we paying triple the price now dude

[@lot6129]

@@lovefootball94 Yes, and earning more than triple.....

[@australiafirst520]

Ah, the days before the Greedy were allowed to Rule.

[@TheVeek192]

irrelevant

[@jr7845]

But you've nothing to say about a human being murdered?

[@FlattardiansSuck]

Truckies running "side loads" was rampant in those days. He obviously was a threat to growers etc.... RIP mate. Thugs don't respect life, just dollars. You don't shoot those who owe, as there's no chance of repayments.