In 2002, Bernadette Liston, who was 46 years old, lived in Victor Harbor with her same-sex partner Francis “Frankie” Marshall, her 12-year-old daughter Jennifer, and their 4-year-old half-sister Rebekah.
Daryl Purcell, Frankie’s brother, had a child named “Rebekah” with Bernadette. The plan was for Frankie and Bernadette to move forward as a couple.
On Friday, October 25, 2002, around 3:30 p.m., Bernadette’s 12-year-old daughter came home from school and found her dead in their home on Ives Crescent in Victor Harbor.
Six times, Ms. Liston had been hit, stabbed, and shot. The attack was so bad that a knife was still stuck in her head. There were no signs that the house had been broken into. Her cell phone and bath towels were among the things that were missing.
Liston was aware of who had murdered her
Frankie, Ms. Liston’s partner, and Rebekah, their 4-year-old daughter, saw her alive and well before they left the Victor Harbor home at 9:30 a.m. On the morning of October 25, police believe Ms. Liston was murdered. The police think Ms. Liston may have known her killer.
Jennifer, Bernadette’s 12-year-old daughter, claims in a report that She had plans to leave Frankie for Rebekah’s biological father, Mr. Purcell, and she and her daughter were making preparations to move in with him.
Christine, Bernadette’s sister, said that Frankie was mean and had a gun that he kept hidden in the house.
Arrested In Liston Case
In August 2008 Francis “Frankie” marshall was caught for Ms. Liston’s killing but was subsequently acquitted in the Supreme Court.
Police are still looking into who the probable murderer is but the case is still unsolved.
Victor Harbor is a little town and police are hoping someone out there knows something or probably heard rumors over the years as to who committed it that could assist with their inquiry.
Please call crime stoppers, no matter how big or small your data is. 1800 333 000.