Family issues desperate plea over the horrific cold case abduction and murder of a schoolboy - as police post a $1million reward for new information
A family have issued a desperate plea for help solving the cold case murder of a schoolboy, as police increased the reward for information to $1million.
Gerard Ross, then 11, was abducted while walking along Kent Street in Rockingham, south of Perth, on his way to a comic book store on October 14, 1997.
His body was found dumped at the Karnup Pine Plantation, about 20km southeast of Rockingham, two weeks later.
WA Police unveiled the new reward amount on Wednesday, increased from $250,000, on the 23rd anniversary of the 11-year-old's disappearance.
Gerard Ross , then 11, was abducted on his way to a comic store while his family were holidaying in Rockingham, south of Perth, on October 14, 1997
Gerard's body was found dumped at the Karnup Pine Plantation two weeks later. On Wednesday WA Police increased the reward for information on his murder to $1million
Gerard's family, who live in Scotland, issued a statement that said they were grateful for the increased reward and begged anyone with information to come forward.
'As we head into another year without him, we are sadly reminded that someone somewhere knows what happened to our beautiful funny and loving boy.
'From Gerard's family and friends on both sides of the world, and the community of Western Australia, please come forward and take this opportunity to provide justice for Gerard,' they said.
Gerard's family were living in Newman, north WA, and holidaying in Rockhampton when he and his brother decided to set out to visit the comic store at 9.30am.
His older brother was on rollerblades and skated ahead but Gerard never arrived at the store.
Gerard's body was then found on the edge of a limestone track at the plantation.
Police Minister Michelle Roberts on Wednesday announced the new reward and appealed for any information relating to Gerard's murder.
'Today Gerard should be a young man, perhaps with a family of his own.
'He was robbed of that future and his parents were robbed of that future,' she said.
Gerard's family issued a heartbreaking plea for anyone with information to come forward on the 23rd anniversary of the 11-year-old's disappearance (Gerard's memorial plaque pictured)
Ms Roberts explained 'there may be someone, or more than one person, that knows what's happened here'.
'Sometimes someone with information is close to the perpetrator themselves. Sometimes that person has been living in fear.'
Ms Roberts said anyone who came forward with information leading to the killer's conviction may be considered for a pardon or protection from prosecution.
'I hope that with this added incentive, we can come closer to resolving the murder. I know that our police will never give up on pursuing justice for Gerard,' she said.
Police Commissioner Chris Dawson told reporters that WA Police had 'a number of suspects'.
'We have a number of different lines of inquiry,' he explained.
WA Police last year said all evidence linked to the abduction and murder was being re-investigated as part of a fresh cold case review.
WA Police have 'a number of suspects' in the investigation (Gerard Ross's grave pictured)