The Unsolved Murder of Harvey and Jeannette Crewe in New Zealand

The Crewe Family and Early Incidents

• 👨‍👩‍👧 David "Harvey" and Jeannette Crewe, sheep farmers in Pukakawa, New Zealand, had an 18-month-old daughter, Rochelle.
• 🔥 The family experienced multiple unsettling incidents prior to the murders, including arson attacks where clothes were burned in a bedroom and their hay barn was set ablaze.
• 💍 Valuables, including Janette's wedding ring, were also stolen from their home.

Discovery of the Crime Scene

• 💔 On June 17th, 1970, Harvey and Jeannette were last seen alive. Their neighbor reported hearing gunshots later that evening.
• ⏳ Five days later, Janette's father, Lynn Deir, discovered the house in disarray, with food left on the table and bloodstains throughout.
• 👶 Their daughter, Rochelle, was found severely dehydrated in her crib, raising questions about her survival for five days without care.

Initial Investigation and Suspects

• ❓ Police initially considered a murder-suicide but found it unlikely due to the difficulty of moving bodies.
• 🤔 Lynn Deir became a person of interest due to his delayed reporting of the incident and his unusual actions, including leaving Rochelle at the house and not immediately calling the police.
• 🚗 Blood found on Lynn's car seat, a fresh scratch on his neck, and evidence of a burned hearth rug and chair cushion further complicated the investigation.

Discovery of the Bodies and Arthur Thomas

• 🌊 Janette's body was found wrapped in a duvet in the Wado River on August 16th, 1970, with multiple gunshot wounds to the head and severe facial injuries.
• ⚓ Harvey's body was recovered a month later, tied to a car axle in the same river.
• 🔍 Police identified Arthur Thomas, a neighbor, as a suspect when his farm's car axle was found to match the one used to weigh down Harvey's body.
• 🔫 A spent shell casing found in the Crewe garden was determined to have been fired from Arthur Thomas's rifle, becoming a key piece of evidence.

Conviction, Appeal, and Exoneration

• ⚖️ Arthur Thomas was convicted of the double murders in 1971 and again in 1973, receiving a life sentence.
• ❓ His conviction was overturned on appeal due to procedural issues, including the prosecution withholding evidence and witness lists.
• 💡 In 1980, a doctor proved the shell casing had been planted, leading to Arthur Thomas's pardon and release after serving nine years.

Lingering Questions and Unresolved Aspects

• ❓ The case remains officially unsolved, with lingering suspicions about Lynn Deir's involvement due to his behavior and potential motives related to inheritance.
• 🗣️ Another suspect, Mickey, a mute farm worker who previously worked for Harvey, was also considered but lacked sufficient evidence for prosecution.
• 💰 The investigation and trials cost taxpayers over $400,000, highlighting the significant resources dedicated to this enduring mystery.
• ✅ A 2014 review cleared Lynn Deir and confirmed Rochelle's dehydration, but the truth of what happened to Harvey and Jeannette Crewe remains elusive.