Cold Case Killer Sentenced to Life for 1986 Wife Murder
Raymond Reddington, 79, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of his wife Sharon Fulton, a crime that remained unsolved for nearly four decades. The former air force technician, who changed his name from Maxwell Robert Fulton, received a non-parole period of 20 years in the WA Supreme Court.
Details of the Crime and Trial
Sharon Fulton, a mother of four, was last seen on March 18, 1986, leaving her Duncraig home to drop off her three-year-old son Heath in Wangara. Her husband, Reddington, did not report her missing until three days later, providing inconsistent accounts of her disappearance to police.
During the four-week trial, evidence revealed that about a year before she vanished, Mrs. Fulton had applied for divorce, custody of their children, and a property settlement. Although she did not pursue the application and was living with Reddington at the time, weeks before her disappearance, he took out a life insurance policy in her name worth $120,000 in 1986 currency.
Justice McGrath's Remarks and Motive
Justice Anthony McGrath stated that Reddington had a clear motive for the murder, citing the acrimonious marriage and the potential loss of significant matrimonial assets. "I find you had motive to kill the deceased being the acrimonious marriage, with you facing losing a significant share of the matrimonial assets," Justice McGrath said. He also noted that Reddington has continued to deny involvement, and Mrs. Fulton's body remains concealed.
Breakthrough in the Case
The case saw a major breakthrough in November 2021 during an inquest into Mrs. Fulton's disappearance. Reddington sent an anonymous letter to the Coroner's Court, claiming to know where her body was buried. Forensic testing revealed his DNA on the inside of the envelope, leading to his arrest by Special Crime Division detectives in 2023.
The letter falsely alleged that Mrs. Fulton was murdered by a lover and buried under a concrete slab at a Scarborough home. Police excavated the site but found no trace of her remains.
Family Plea and Health Condition
Following the guilty verdict, two of Reddington's sons, Deryck and Heath Fulton, publicly pleaded with him to reveal the location of their mother's body. However, time is limited as Reddington has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. The court heard that he may have as little as 18 months to a few years to live, potentially reducing his time in prison.
This sentencing marks the closure of a long-standing cold case, bringing justice to a family that waited 40 years for answers.
