the MONSTER and the family he killed

MONSTER KILLS HIS WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN

It was Sunday, January 6, 1991. For this time of year in Adelaide, It was Unusually cold when the daily maximum only reached 22 degrees Celcius.

Earlier in the day, just after 7 am. Firefighters from the Salisbury Command Fire Station in Adelaide's northern suburbs. Received a dispatch call to attend a house fire in Parafield Gardens.

They had been sent to a house, on fire, on Jackson Street, some 8km away.

Jackson street was your typical suburban street for this part of Australia. A quiet street with just 23 single level houses on it, located 21km north of the centre of Adelaide.

When the fire responders arrived at the address, they had found a house engulfed in flames. 

SCENE THEY WILL NEVER FORGET

Once the firefighters extinguished the fire. Inside the chard remains, the responders found a grisly scene that no one will ever forget.

The mother of the house, 31-year-old Meredith Pearce, was in her bedroom. She was bound and tied up to a chair. Forced into her mouth was a torn section of a blue towel. She had severe head wounds and an electrical extension cord around her neck, strangling her. 

MONSTER KILLS HIS WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN

 Of the three of her four children at home that night. Adam, 11, and Travis, 9, were found tied up sitting in chairs. Suffocated with plastic bags over their heads. Little 2-year-old Kerry was lying in her cot, smothered with a pillow. Pearce's fourth child, Matthew, slept at a friend's house the previous night. 

MONSTER KILLS HIS WIFE AND THREE CHILDREN, Forensic investigators discovered that the family had been killed well before the fire was set. There was an attempt to burn down the home earlier. Gas bottles were found, strategically placed around the house and a fire set, but no explosion. When that plan failed, someone then used petrol, thrown around the house, then set the dwelling alight.

 Both Stuart and his now-dead wife worked at the same twenty four hour petrol station at Wingfield. Meredith on the day shift and Stuart at night. Allowing someone to be at home with the children at all times.

KNOCKED OFF WORK AT USUAL TIME

 This Sunday morning, Stuart had knocked off work at 6:50 am as usual. The person taking over from his shift did not notice anything unusual.

 Stuart owned and drove a souped-up Datsun 240K that was well known in the area as it made quite a bit of noise when Stuart returned from work every morning at 7 am.

 When the Police quizzed locals about this particular morning, no one could say they remembered hearing Stuart's car as they usually would.

With Stuart still missing, a full scope search was initiated.

DISCOVERED AN UNDERGROUND BUNKER

 At the property, Police discovered an underground bunker with twenty-five marijuana plants growing in it. Stuarts best friend Gary Austin, who lived in a unit in Pearce's back yard, had committed suicide just four months before.

  Stuarts car, the distinctive white 240K Datsun coupe, was found dumped 15km away at the Kilkenny shopping centre later that day. Meredith's blood was found in the car's boot and on the door trim, with the Police believing that the blood was most likely transferred to the vehicle from Stewart.