NSW: Person of interest "very close" to Rachelle Childs: inquest

AAP General News (Australia)
12-11-2006
NSW: Person of interest "very close" to Rachelle Childs: inquest

By Lisa Allan

SYDNEY, Dec 11 AAP - The key person of interest in the death of Rachelle Childs says
he was "very close" to the bubbly woman and cried when he found out she had died.

Ms Childs' boss, Kevin Correll, today told an inquest into the death of the 23-year-old
car saleswoman that he was "shocked and devastated" when he heard she had been killed.

Mr Correll's son, who can only be known as KC1, told the court he had not asked his
dad what happened to Ms Childs because he knew his father had nothing to do with her death.

"I know my father didn't do anything so I don't need to ask him," KC1 said today.

Ms Childs was last seen alive at the Bargo Hotel, in Sydney's south-west, on the evening
of June 7, 2001, which was also KC1's 19th birthday.

Her charred, partially clad body was found in roadside bushland near Gerroa on the
NSW south coast in the early hours of June 8.

Mr Correll, who was Ms Childs' supervisor at Camden Holden, is the only one of nine
persons of interest in her death who has not been ruled out by investigators.

Reluctantly giving evidence today, Mr Correll described Ms Childs as an "intelligent girl".

"She was a lovely person, outgoing, happy, loved cars," he told Glebe Coroner's Court.

Mr Correll said he had helped train Ms Childs when she first started working at the
car dealership but denied he gave her special treatment.

He said their relationship was more akin to that of a father and daughter than anything else.

"I was very close with Rachelle, very close," he said.

He said he was shocked when he received word that Ms Childs had been killed.

"I was devastated," he said. "Yes, I cried."

Mr Correll told the inquest he recalled buying his son a Holden HSV jacket from Camden
Holden for his birthday in 2001, which falls on the same day as Ms Childs' disappearance.

Earlier this month, a woman told the inquest Mr Correll had cancelled dinner plans
with her on the night of Ms Childs' disappearance because he had to buy his son a birthday
present.

Outside court today, Ms Childs' father Graham said he was happy Mr Correll was giving evidence.

He said he would not label anyone as Rachelle's killer.

"I've said to my family all the way along the worst thing you can say to any individual
is you're a murderer and you killed my daughter," he said.

"I don't think I would ever say that to anyone. That's for the courts to decide."

Earlier today, Mr Correll's lawyer Matt Johnston sought to stop his client being called
to give evidence, saying Mr Correll "strenuously denied" having anything to do with Ms
Childs' death.

He said Mr Correll had already participated in six hours of police interviews.

"There can be no suggestion that Mr Correll has failed to provide a complete account
of his movements," he said.

But Deputy State Coroner Jane Culver rejected the move, saying Mr Correll may be asked
to answer questions not covered in police interviews.

The inquest resumes tomorrow.

AAP lma/was/sp

KEYWORD: CHILDS NIGHTLEAD

2006 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.