289: Gerard Ross

In this episode, we revisit the tragic and unresolved case of Jared Ross, an 11-year-old boy who disappeared from Rockingham, Western Australia, in October 1997. Jared left his family's holiday rental with his older brother Malcolm to go to a comic book store that was less than a kilometer away. When Malcolm arrived at the store, Jared did not follow, sparking a frantic search by family and police. Despite efforts from volunteers and authorities, no one witnessed Jared's abduction.

Days passed without leads until, two weeks later, Jared's body was discovered about 20 kilometers from where he went missing. The investigation quickly transitioned from a missing person case to a murder case, yet no clear suspect emerged. Various theories regarding his murder, including a possible stranger abduction or targeted attack, have been presented, but the case remains unsolved.

As years have passed, methods of investigation have evolved with advances in forensic technology. The cold case squad continues to review the evidence, and as of October 2026, police maintain hope that Jared's murder can still be solved. The case stands as one of Western Australia's significant unsolved murders, leaving lingering questions about Jared's final moments and the identity of his killer.