Xavier Herald

Thursday 1st May 2008

Xavier Head of Primary Found Dead

In what appears to be a bizarre murder case, Mr Lawrie Knott, Xavier Catholic College’s Head of Primary, was found dead at the college early this morning.
During a routine grounds check at 6:30am, a staff member stumbled across the body in the primary play gym area. Given the circumstances of the case, the police are treating the death as suspicious and believe Mr Knott fell victim to Foul Play sometime between 8:00pm last night and 6:00am this morning. Actual time of death is yet to be established by the medical examiner.
Police have advised that Mr Knott attended the college staff meeting yesterday from 3:30pm to 6:00pm where next year’s staffing placements were discussed. Following the staff meeting a college BBQ was held which finished at around 8:00pm.

In a press release this morning investigating officer, Detective Warren Wombat, confirmed that the case was being treated as a murder and suspects from the school have already begun to be interviewed.

Police have collected evidence at the scene but need further information before making an arrest. Several private investigating companies have been called in to assist the Police with their enquiries. 

Monday 5th May 2008

Police Start To Gather Leads On Xavier Murder

Police spokesman, Detective Warren Wombat, advised this morning that statements had been taken from the main suspects and distributed via the web in order that the various Private Investigation Agencies, employed to help solve this crime, could commence their analysis. He advised that it is now up to the detectives to decide which teacher, or teachers, are not telling the truth. They will need to piece together the various stories and form time lines etc to help solve the crime.

Tuesday 6th May 2008

More Details Come To Light On Xavier Murder

Interim autopsy reports indicate that Mr Knott did indeed fall victim to foul play at the hands of at least one murderer. He suffered what appears to have been a wound from a sharp implement to the chest during a violent struggle. The fatal wound however was that of a gunshot to the heart. The bullet entered the chest at a slightly downward angle severing the aorta and exiting out the back through the ribs. Some blood found on the body does not match that of the victim. Further tests are being carried out in this regard. Estimated time of death is at approximately 9:15pm on Wednesday 30th April. Further details should be available within the next 48 hours.

Wednesday 7th May 2008

Detectives Start To Close The Net On Killer

Police advised today that further forensic test results have indicated that the unmatched blood found on the victim found at Xavier Catholic College last week includes both types AB+ and that of type O (Rhesus Factor +,- unable to be determined at this stage). This blood was found on parts of the victim’s hands and clothing, along with the towel he was found lying on. Police advised that they have followed up on suspect statements and now provided the various detective agencies working on the case, details of suspects’ motor vehicles and blood types, in order to progress the investigation as quickly as possible. The crime has shocked the close knit community of Hervey Bay and public pressure is mounting to bring the killer, or killers, to justice.  Further developments will be published immediately they come to hand, however Police advise some details may be too sensitive for public release, and these will be directed to the detective agencies via the dedicated investigation website only.

Monday 12th May 2008

Detectives Reveal Error In Suspect's Statements

Police announced today that there had inadvertently been an error in the typing of suspect Ms White's statement. The time that Mr Gault advised her he was heading up to the hospital to see if Ms Hammond needed a lift home was in fact 7:50pm NOT 8:50pm. Police have apologised for this oversight.

Monday 12th May 2008

More Information Comes To Light On Xavier Suspects

Police advised today that some alibi information had now come to hand in relation to four of the suspects in the notorious Xavier murder case. This information has been placed online for use by the specialist teams of Private Investigators brought in to help solve the mystery.

Thursday 15th May 2008

More Crime Scene Data Released on Xavier Slaying

Police investigators today advised that some additional Crime Scene data was now to hand and placed online to aid in the investigation. They also advised that all searches of suspects desks & cars had been completed. Details of these will be provided to investigators upon submission of appropriate documentation.

Daylight Dawns on Decidedly Dangerous Duo Whose Dastardly Deed Was Drenched In Double Dealing And Dealt The Desired Death To The Deceased

In an explosive end to the Xavier Murder Case, police today arrested Mr Greg Lavey and Mr Joshua Gault and charged them with the murder of Mr Knott in the school grounds on 30th April. However this did not occur without some controversy when they initially arrested Mr Reagen Collier. Fortunately, after some further questioning, the police released Mr Collier and apprehended Mr Lavey. The police spokesman, Detective Warren Wombat, reported that it appears that Mr Lavey had tried to frame Mr Collier with the murder and very nearly succeeded.

After further interviews with the accused, it appears that events leading up to this grisly murder were as follows. When Ms Hammond cut her hand, Mr Lavey saw this as an opportunity. He insisted Mr Collier and he drive her to hospital, and also insisted on cleaning Mr Collier’s car afterwards. This gave him access to the vehicle and Mr Colliers leather jacket which he made sure he was wearing when he shot Mr Knott. He also removed a yellow rugby shirt, a diving knife from its scabbard and the beach towel Ms Hammond had wrapped her hand in. After cleaning the vehicle, which does not have central locking, he made sure he left one of the rear doors unlocked so he could plant more evidence in the car the following day. Mr Lavey also took the opportunity to loosen some wires under the bonnet of Mr Collier’s car to make sure that it would break down. He knew this would make it difficult for Mr Collier to subsequently prove his whereabouts at the time of the murder.

Messrs Lavey and Gault had been planning this for some weeks and had used two ”prepaid “ sim cards which they inserted into different phones to text each other etc. These sim cards were always removed in order that the phones themselves would not reveal the texts if accessed by other parties.

After he left the BBQ, Mr Lavey picked up Mr Gault from his house at around 8:45pm and returned to the school. A heated discussion ensued between Mr Lavey, Mr Gault and Mr Knott after the accused called him to come outside. Both the accused restrained the victim and tied his hands and feet with Ethernet computer chords. Mr Gault was then the first to attack striking Mr Knott in the chest with a diving  knife. However the blow was not fatal and Mr Knott who after freeing himself from the computer chords, fought back striking Mr Gault on the chest and then Mr Lavey on the nose. However Mr Lavey, wearing Mr Collier’s jacket, fired a fatal shot into Mr Knott’s chest with his Army Steyr Rifle, which he had hidden near the playground area just prior to calling Mr Knott outside. The accused then placed Mr Knot’s body on the towel and dragged him up onto the Gym. Mr Gault took Mr Knott’s phone and using a “Say G’Day” card rang a number in Canada, which proved to be a major vinegar broker with whom Mr Collier had had some dealings. During the call Mr Gault, claiming to be Mr Collier, advised the company that “all deals were off” and he had to go underground for awhile. With their dirty deed done, the men raced from the scene in Mr Lavey’s car at around 9:45pm. The following morning both the accused arrived at work very early in order to place some incriminating evidence under Mr Collier’s desk including the 5.56mm calibre shells from the Steyr rifle and one of the sim cards they had been using. Once Mr Collier arrived at school, Mr Lavey went out to Mr Collier’s car and, after making access via the door he left unlocked the night before, replaced the jacket which he knew would have gunshot residue traces from the night before.

Police advised that it was only due to the excellent investigative skills of the agencies involved which led to the arrest, which now closes one of the darkest chapters in Xaviers’ short life. Educational Authorities advise that despite these tragic events the college retains its position as the best school in the known universe.