NSW: Police baffled by Xmas Eve murder

AAP General News (Australia)
12-24-2001
NSW: Police baffled by Xmas Eve murder

SYDNEY, Dec 24 AAP - Exactly a year after 18-year-old prostitute Lesley Rose Johnson
was found brutally bashed to death near Sydney's red light district, police remain baffled
as to the identity of her killer.

Police believe Ms Johnson was killed between midnight and 5am on Christmas Eve last year.

A passer-by found her battered body in a laneway, close to where partygoers were dancing
in Oxford Street's nightclubs.

"The woman suffered severe head injuries and died a brutal death," Detective Sergeant
Peter Bailey said.

"A passer-by found the woman's body about 6am on December 24 in Norman Lane, East Sydney.

"Norman Lane is close to the busy Oxford street nightclub strip so there would have
been a lot of people in the area."

Police have asked anyone in the area between midnight and 5am on Christmas Eve to contact them.

AAP sal/gl

KEYWORD: JOHNSON

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