The recent conviction of Chris Dawson for the 1982 murder of his wife, Lynette, has captivated Australia, bringing renewed attention to cold cases that have lingered unsolved for decades.
Inspired by this breakthrough, David Mackey and his wife, Sandie, decided to investigate their own family's tragic mystery—the disappearance of David’s great-grandmother, Florence Lilian Jarman, in 1952.
Florence vanished from her home at 24 Gordon Street, Marrickville, a small brick cottage with a red iron roof, over 70 years ago. Despite a police investigation and family suspicions, her case remains unsolved. As David and Sandie have uncovered more details about her disappearance, questions surrounding Florence’s husband, Bill Jarman, and the sudden death of John Scully, the man they shared the house with, have come to light.
Florence Jarman's Quiet Life Shattered
Born in 1890, Florence Jarman (née Akers) lived a relatively quiet life until her world was turned upside down in 1952. She married Bill Jarman in 1948, and they moved into 24 Gordon Street, a property owned by John Scully, who had lived there since 1916. The story passed down through the family claimed that Florence and Bill had moved in to care for Scully, who was said to be Bill’s ailing stepfather. But Sandie’s research revealed that this was untrue—Bill and John Scully were both born in 1879 and were not related by blood or marriage. This revelation cast doubt on the reasons behind their living arrangement and raised suspicions about Bill’s motives.
On February 23, 1952, the day Florence disappeared, she had dressed in a floral dress and a fawn-striped coat for her eldest daughter Doris’s 37th birthday (David’s grandmother). Florence was last seen going to bed at 8 pm. Bill claims she kissed him before going to bed; however, when he checked on her the following day at 7 am, she was gone.
The Investigation Stalls
Florence’s room was undisturbed. Her jewellery, reading glasses, and £100 in cash were still there, yet there was no sign of her or the floral dress. Despite the police investigation, which included digging up the property's backyard and circulating her description nationwide, no clues emerged. Florence had simply vanished.
A particularly chilling detail comes from David’s mother, Trish, who recalls staying at 24 Gordon Street as a child. She used to sleep in the bed with her grandmother, Florence. One night, Florence led Trish to a drawer in her bedroom and showed her a sum of cash, telling her that if anything ever happened to her, that was where to find the money. That very sum was found by police after Florence’s disappearance, adding an ominous tone to the case, as if Florence had sensed the possibility of danger.
Adding to the mystery, John Scully died the day after Florence’s disappearance, on February 24, 1952. Scully, who had been unwell for some time, was cremated privately just two days later, preventing any autopsy that might have revealed the cause of death. The timing of these events raised questions—had Florence witnessed something she was not supposed to? Did her disappearance and Scully’s sudden death somehow connect?
A Convenient Inheritance
After Scully’s death and Florence’s presumed disappearance, Bill Jarman inherited the house at 24 Gordon Street. Bill and Florence had been named executors of Scully’s will, and with Florence out of the picture, Bill assumed complete control of the property. He lived there until he died in 1965. This convenient inheritance fuelled suspicions about Bill’s potential involvement in Florence’s fate. Family rumours circulated for years that Bill may have had a hand in her disappearance, with some speculating that he had disposed of her body in the nearby Cook’s River.
While there was no direct evidence, Bill’s behaviour after Florence’s disappearance left many uneasy. He reportedly complained about police attention but seemed detached from the efforts to find his missing wife.
The McCabes: A Lingering Mystery
Shortly after Florence disappeared, Bill’s acquaintances, the McCabes, took it upon themselves to clear her possessions from the house. Their quick involvement in removing her belongings raised suspicions among Florence’s family. Adding to this was the discovery of Florence’s personal papers scattered in a lane behind the house. Though no direct allegations have been made against the McCabes, their swift presence and actions have left family members wondering whether they knew more about Bill’s relationship with John Scully or the events surrounding Florence’s disappearance. Any insight the McCabes could provide would be of great interest, particularly given their role in the immediate aftermath.
A Web of Secrets
The connection between Florence’s disappearance and John Scully’s sudden death remains one of the most perplexing aspects of this case. Scully’s rapid cremation and the lack of an autopsy prevent any definitive answers. Still, the possibility remains that Bill hastened Scully’s death to take control of the house or cover up something more sinister. Florence’s vanishing the night before Scully’s death, combined with leaving all her belongings behind, points to the possibility that she may have known too much.
A Community Call for Answers
David Mackey grew up with fragments of this haunting story, which has never fully been explained. His investigation and Sandie’s research have brought new attention to the case, but many questions remain unanswered. Was Bill Jarman involved in Florence’s disappearance? Was there something suspicious about John Scully’s death? What role, if any, did the McCabes play?
The Marrickville community holds an essential place in this mystery. The cottage at 24 Gordon Street still stands, a quiet witness to events long forgotten by the public. David and Sandie hope that someone in the local community, particularly those who lived in the area at the time, might hold the key to unlocking what happened to Florence.
If anyone has information about Bill Jarman, John Scully, or the events at 24 Gordon Street in 1952, David and Sandie encourage them to come forward. Even the smallest detail could help solve a mystery that has plagued their family for generations and finally provide justice for Florence Jarman.
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