Lance Williams was the main suspect as being the Claremont Serial Killer for 10 years, and today it was revealed scientists once believed they found a possible match between his hair and that found on the third victim, Ciara Glennon.

During his final day on the stand, retired forensic scientist Martin Blooms revealed in 2002, scientists did suspect a match had been made between the hair from Lance Williams and hairs found on Ciara Glennon’s body, following testing on Mr Williams hair after he was arrested.

Lance Williams was arrested in 1998 and interrogated by police for 17 hours.

Shortly after his arrest, Lance Williams voluntarily offered his DNA samples for testing,

He was placed under intense scrutiny by police, who openly followed him to and from work every day for years.

In 2002, they conducted the test, which at the time was designed to exclude suspects, but forms shown to the court on day 39 revealed at least one hair recovered from Ciara’s shirt as well as her skirt noted that it “possibly matched with Williams.”

Mr Williams admitted to driving around Claremont at night during 1996 and 1997 to look for lone women, but he insisted it was to offer them a safe way to get home - because three women had gone missing from the area.

Claremont in Conversation guest and veteran 7 News reporter Alison Fan interviewed Mr Williams in 2002, and said she came out of the interview convinced he was innocent, so much so she called the assistant commissioner of police to tell him what she thought.

It wasn’t until a decade after his arrest, that Lance Williams was officially no longer a suspect in the case.

He has since died, but was alive to hear someone else - Bradley Robert Edwards - was arrested and charged with the murders, which he denies.

But the day wasn’t all about Lance Williams, Mr Blooms was grilled by the defence about his involvement in the case, revealing that police asked he be taken off the case in 2003 - which The West’s Emily Moulton said received a sharp response, and tense moment with the prosecution.

With every detail from the last 23 years being pulled apart and analysed in WA’s trial of the century, the pressure and scrutiny is expected to only increase.

Join Natalie Bonjolo and Emily Moulton as they discuss day 39.

If you have any questions for the podcast team, or an of their guests, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au.

Lance Williams was the main suspect as being the Claremont Serial Killer for 10 years, and today it was revealed scientists once believed they found a possible match between his hair and that found on the third victim, Ciara Glennon.
During his final day on the stand, retired forensic scientist Martin Blooms revealed in 2002, scientists did suspect a match had been made between the hair from Lance Williams and hairs found on Ciara Glennon&rsquo;s body, following testing on Mr Williams hair after he was arrested.
Lance Williams was arrested in 1998 and interrogated by police for 17 hours.
Shortly after his arrest, Lance Williams voluntarily offered his DNA samples for testing,
He was placed under intense scrutiny by police, who openly followed him to and from work every day for years.
In 2002, they conducted the test, which at the time was designed to exclude suspects, but forms shown to the court on day 39 revealed at least one hair recovered from Ciara&rsquo;s shirt as well as her skirt noted that it &ldquo;possibly matched with Williams.&rdquo;
Mr Williams admitted to driving around Claremont at night during 1996 and 1997 to look for lone women, but he insisted it was to offer them a safe way to get home - because three women had gone missing from the area.
Claremont in Conversation guest and veteran 7 News reporter Alison Fan interviewed Mr Williams in 2002, and said she came out of the interview convinced he was innocent, so much so she called the assistant commissioner of police to tell him what she thought.
It wasn&rsquo;t until a decade after his arrest, that Lance Williams was officially no longer a suspect in the case.
He has since died, but was alive to hear someone else - Bradley Robert Edwards - was arrested and charged with the murders, which he denies.
But the day wasn&rsquo;t all about Lance Williams, Mr Blooms was grilled by the defence about his involvement in the case, revealing that police asked he be taken off the case in 2003 - which The West&rsquo;s Emily Moulton said received a sharp response, and tense moment with the prosecution.
With every detail from the last 23 years being pulled apart and analysed in WA&rsquo;s trial of the century, the pressure and scrutiny is expected to only increase.
Join Natalie Bonjolo and Emily Moulton as they discuss day 39.
If you have any questions for the podcast team, or an of their guests, send them in to <a href="mailto:claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au">claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au</a>.

Ever since the shocking deaths of three young women in 1996 and 1997, the unanswered questions surrounding the Claremont serial killings have remained one of the biggest mysteries in WA history.

Any hope of justice in the tragic deaths of Ciara Glennon, Sarah Spiers and Jane Rimmer seemed bleak for more than 20 years, with police coming unstuck and no sign of a breakthrough.

That was until the arrest of Bradley Robert Edwards in 2016, who was subsequently charged with the trio's murders.

For the past three years details about the allegations facing Mr Edwards have been in short supply as his case headed toward what has been dubbed the trial of the century.

Now, we bring you in to the courtroom and walk you through all the revelations, allegations and talking points as the historic court case unfolds.

Join our team of journalists and legal experts as we break down all the key information from the proceedings in Claremont: The Trial.

Ever since the shocking deaths of three young women in 1996 and 1997, the unanswered questions surrounding the Claremont serial killings have remained one of the biggest mysteries in WA history.
Any hope of justice in the tragic deaths of Ciara Glennon, Sarah Spiers and Jane Rimmer seemed bleak for more than 20 years, with police coming unstuck and no sign of a breakthrough.
That was until the arrest of Bradley Robert Edwards in 2016, who was subsequently charged with the trio's murders.
For the past three years details about the allegations facing Mr Edwards have been in short supply as his case headed toward what has been dubbed the trial of the century.
Now, we bring you in to the courtroom and walk you through all the revelations, allegations and talking points as the historic court case unfolds.
Join our team of journalists and legal experts as we break down all the key information from the proceedings in Claremont: The Trial.

Advertisement