The evidence linking Shelly and her killer was there for 45 years
But it took advances in DNA technology to bring a resolution to the teenager's cold case murder.
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Sean Thompson
Sean Thompson
Homepage Editor
Homepage Editor
Sean Thompson has been a journalist and editor for longer than a decade working across print, digital and television newsrooms.
His career began at News Corp working as a reporter and later an editor at various local newspapers across Sydney, including a stint as editor of the Southern Courier. In that time he also worked with the digital team at the Daily Telegraph.
Sean started work at Nine as the morning editor of 9news.com.au before leaving to work in the TV newsroom. He spent almost four years working across almost every news show and bulletin including Today Show, afternoon news and 6pm covering major international events and state and federal elections.
He spent almost two years working at The Australian Financial Review as a desk editor, shifting between print and digital production.
By Sean Thompson
Vieira family to sue NSW police: 'This family deserve answers'
Bert Vieira wants NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy "to hurt" over the highway patrol "high-speed" pursuit last week that has left his wife in a coma.
'Got to stop': Woman fights for life after being T-boned by police car
His beloved wife of 43 years is fighting for life after being T-boned by a police car on a pursuit - and now Guy Vieira wants them to end for good.
Teens 'lucky to be alive' after burns from 25,000-volt power lines
9NEWS understands the boys were sitting in a restricted section of the overpass when electricity from the lines arced.
Man dead, son critical after house fire
Emergency crews were called to a property on Madigan Boulevard, Mt Warrigal, at 9.20pm after reports a property was engulfed in flames.
Fiancée of tradie killed on the job pleads for answers
Police are hunting for two men wanted over the death of Luke Bray and the suspected running of an unlicensed "tradie syndicate."
Local risks life in treacherous rescue
A quick-thinking personal trainer has risked his own life to pluck an injured swimmer from dangerous surf at Sydney's Bronte Beach.
Weekend bushfire battle ahead as winds strengthen
The strong winds expected to whip through New South Wales and Queensland this weekend will make it difficult for firefighters to get on top of blazes burning in both states.
Crews battle 79 winter bushfires across NSW
Large parts of New South Wales remain on high alert for bushfires today, as crews battle to keep on top of several blazes burning across the state.
Fires downgraded across NSW but authorities still on high alert
Firefighters remain on high alert despite conditions easing overnight as they battle to contain dozens of fires causing havoc across NSW.
Man 'attacked by old friend' in deadly Lurnea assault
A man has been charged after a 31-year-old died in a street fight in south-west Sydney.
M5 East reopened with reduced speed limit after truck fire
Motorists were forced to sit in long traffic delays this morning after a truck fire forced the closure of the M5 East in Sydney.
New strategy to give kids of missing mum justice after dad's suicide
The suspected murder of a woman in South Australia 12 months ago has prompted a fresh appeal for information by police who are desperate to find her body.
'Judge us by our actions'
Nine CEO Hugh Marks has assured readers and viewers that ground-breaking journalism will be at the core of the merger with Fairfax.
Motorcyclist dies after multi-vehicle crash
Major traffic delays are expected after a truck crashed into a car and a bike on the Western Ring Road in Melbourne.
Remains of Chinese student found dumped beside motorway
The remains of Campsie woman Qi Yu were discovered in bushland near the M1 in Sydney's north, more than a month after she disappeared.
Police hunting 'dangerous' hoon motorbike rider
Footage posted to the NSW Police Facebook page shows a man riding an unregistered Kawasaki dirt bike in the Seven Hills area.
Trevor Noah facing boycott over Aboriginal women jokes
Comedian Trevor Noah is facing a boycott ahead of his Australian tour after derogatory jokes he made about Aboriginal women in 2013 resurfaced again online.
Man covered in face tattoos arrested after police dog pursuit
A man covered in face and neck tattoos will face court today after a high-speed police chase through western Sydney.
Motorbike rider flung over bridge in fatal crash
A motorbike rider who was "street racing" in Melbourne has died after a crash near the city's CBD overnight.
'Stabbing murderer' charged after falling asleep during siege
The man suspected of stabbing a former soldier to death has been apprehended after a tense four-hour standoff at a property in Brisbane's north last night.
Sliced mushrooms recalled across Australia
Sliced white and brown mushrooms in prepackaged punnets have been recalled from supermarket shelves due to the potential presence of foreign matter.
Police swoop on restaurant where ex-Russian spy was poisoned
Police have swooped on the restaurant where former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter were poisoned with a deadly nerve agent.
Man, 63, 'arranged to meet 14-year-old girl for sex'
A man accused of chatting to a 14-year-old girl online to lure her for sex will face court today after being arrested yesterday.
Socceroos fan dies at Russia World Cup
Melbourne man Bernie Moynahan fell ill with pneumonia and went into a coma after flying into Russia last month.
Boy's barber accepts he now has to cut girls' hair
The Sydney barber who was taken to court for refusing to cut a girl's hair has settled the case after an eight-month legal battle.
Strike action to disrupt bus services for 24 hours
Bus drivers have walked off the job for 24 hours in Melbourne and part of Ballarat and Geelong, disrupting regular services on more than 70 routes today.
Skywalk 'closed until further notice' after two deaths in four months
A man has fallen to his death from Centrepoint Tower in Sydney's CBD, marking the second such incident at the landmark this year.
Jetstar flights out of Sydney abruptly cancelled
Jetstar has cancelled at least five flights out of Sydney Airport this morning, with customers forced to wait in long queues to have their travel issues resolved.
Eagle's drug-driving conviction overturned
Boxer and swimsuit model Lauryn Eagle's conviction for drug-driving has been overturned in a Sydney court today.
$55m Powerball winner FINALLY found
A Victorian has claimed their $55 million prize just seven days before the deadline.
'It hurts my heart to think he can get away with this'
Brazilian actress Dani Suzuki (left) has implored her millions of followers to flush out Marcelo Santoro for 'murdering' childhood friend Cecilia Haddad.
Lanes reopened on M1 after two cars crash
Motorists are being urged to allow extra time on the roads this morning after a two-vehicle crash on the M1 north of Sydney this morning.
Newsroom killer bore grudge after losing lawsuit
The man accused of shooting dead five people at The Capital Gazette newspaper in Maryland tried to prevent being easily identified.
Police swarm shops in hunt for man wanted over body in ute
Police have saturated a Woolworths on the northern Gold Coast after a false sighting of the man wanted over the discovery of a body in the back of a ute.
'Trump is my God, he is in my heart'
Donald Trump is beloved by his diehard fans in the United States, but one man has taken his devotion to the president to a strange new place.
Cop loses fingers in bloody arrest of wanted man
A tactical police officer has lost two fingertips after the blood-soaked arrest of a wanted man who had been on the run for almost a fortnight.
Disgraced horse trainer's 'perfect' holiday cut short
John Nikolic and wife Yvette were on the adventure of a lifetime - until Fiji police allegedly found $20m in drugs on their luxury yacht.
The eye-watering price for ringside WWE seats
They are the hottest tickets in town, but wrestling fans will have to fork out an eye-watering price when the WWE rolls into Melbourne.
Why we need to finish the job in Brisbane
Brad Fittler's dynamic debutants set the course for a 3-0 whitewash with their win over Queensland at Sydney Olympic Park.
Manhunt for gunman who fired at innocent tradies
Tactical police used stun grenades to storm a home in Melbourne where a man who shot at three tradesman was holed up overnight.
Shares plummet as Telstra axes 8000 jobs
CEO Andrew Penn made the announcement about the telco's future in a market update released this morning.
Incredible new look at 'chaotic' truck crash
New dashcam vision of the Singleton truck smash shows the vehicle erupting into a fireball before the driver's dramatic arrest.
Barnaby's brother Tim Joyce dies from 'terminal cancer'
The brother of former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce has died in Sydney after being rushed to hospital on Friday.
House fire murder accused 'tampered with water mains'
Police arrested Amanda Zukowski and charged her with murder over Mr Lindsell's death after a granny flat fire in Gymea.
Big black cat 'five times the size of a feral' spotted west of Sydney
Deep in the heart of bushland west of Sydney, the infamous black panther has once again been spotted prowling the countryside.
Man's body found wrapped in material beside busy road
The disturbing discovery of a man's body wrapped in material on the side of a road in western Sydney has sparked a police investigation.
Reusable coffee cup brew-haha stirring trouble
While most cafes encourage people to bring their own cup, On the Run servos in South Australia are doing the opposite.
Road rage sending Aussie drivers around the bend
It seems like every other week there is some kind of road rage incident grabbing headlines in Australia.
Socceroo star's honeymoon on hold for World Cup dream
Just hours after tying the knot, Socceroos star Josh Risdon was forced to part ways with bride Ebony - and she couldn't be happier.
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