BY OLI GOELDNER
A forensic review of the unsolved murders of Susan Kay and Joanne Teterin has led to new leads in the 26-year-old investigation.
Today, NSW Police announced a $1 million reward relating to the deaths of the two women, aged 32 and 37.
Their bodies were found at a home on Doran Street in Carrington on Wednesday 17 May 2000.
It was established the women were last known to be alive on Thursday 11 May 2000, before they were allegedly bludgeoned to death and discovered a week later.
At the time, homicide and serious crime detectives assisted Newcastle Police with the investigation; however, there were no arrests or charges laid over the murders.
Following a 2003 coronial inquest, the matter was referred to the Homicide Squad's Unsolved Homicide Unit for review and assessment.
In 2025, the review was finalised and unearthed fresh forensic opportunities which have since become the focus of police inquiries.
Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi said they are particularly interested in information regarding a phone call on the morning of 11 May 2000.
"We know that Joanne was involved in some street level drug supply ... and she had a system in place where anyone that would attend the location to purchase drugs were required they contact he either on the landline or on a mobile phone before they attend," he said.
"We believe that was the purpose of the the call that morning."
It's reported the call was made to the Doran Street home at 7.55am from a payphone within 200 metres.
Police believe the person who made the call can assist them with their inquiries and has information which may help progress the investigation.
"We are almost there," said Detective Doueihi.
"We just need that little bit of information that puts this whole jigsaw puzzle together."
In addition to the phone call, police are also following up leads gained from renewed forensic testing on more than 150 items.
"As a result of the development of DNA technology ... we have yielded some positive results which have progressed the investigation and are very positive to the investigation," said Detective Doueihi.
Detective Doueihi finalised they have come to the conclusion a male person had attended the Doran Street home to purchase drugs where an altercation ensued which resulted in the death of both women.
Homicide Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi. Picture: Ian Crouch
