A Killer Dies a Lonely Death !

The world will be a better place with the death of Ivan Milat.   Australia's worst psychopath shuffled off the mortal coil in a prison hospital over the weekend, mercifully administered the relief of pain that he withheld from the victims he tortured to death in the lonely Belanglo state forest in New
South Wales.

Milat was seventy-four years old when he died and his cause of death was oesophagus and stomach cancer.  In 1996 he was convicted of the murder of seven backpackers between 1989 and 1993 and there is deep suspicion that he was also responsible for several other unsolved murders. Milat professed innocence and during the years he spent in Bathurst's maximum security prison he steadfastly refused to admit his guilt.

Australia was considered a safe place for backpackers to visit before Milat started befriending those he met and offered lifts.  He came unstuck when he produced a gun and threatened a young British backpacker who escaped from his car and waved down a passing motorist to make his escape.  Paul Onions reported this incident to the police, but later when suspicion fell on Milat, Onions was brought back to Australia and positively identified Milat as the man who tried to kidnap him.

A search of his home produced damning evidence.  He had kept souvenirs from the young people he killed and these items could be clearly identified as their personal property. At least his conviction brought closure to the families of victims from various other parts of the world.

Fortunately, people like Ivan Milat are rare and the medical fraternity are undecided whether this urge to repeatedly kill complete strangers is insanity or some sort of strange evil which they are so far unable to identify.  There was nothing in Ivan Milat's life or background that could explain his actions in deliberately bringing his victims to the same killing ground in a remote state forest and subjecting them to unbelievable cruelty for his own strange satisfaction.

For some time, backpackers and hitchhikers were scarce on Australian roads after Milat's arrest made world headlines.  The passage of time has restored our safe image and once again young people from around the world are visiting Australia and this labour force is essential in bringing in seasonal agricultural crops.

The one thing that has not regained favour is hitchhiking.  In earlier years it was common to see young people with their pack at their feet waving a thumb to indicate they they were seeking a lift.  That was a common sight on most highways and the danger is obvious.   It was certainly the way that Ivan Milat came into contact with the majority of his victims.

The backpacker of today is much more likely to invest in a car or a van which is recycled by way of sale to the next generation of visitors when their holiday in Australia comes to an end.  Personal safety is now a greater concern.  There are few world countries that have not experienced a serial predator killer like Ivan Milat.   Caution is the only defence against becoming a victim  !