Ron Iddles, Alf Gay, the Chan Case, Precursor Chemicals — and the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants

On 14 June 2019, former homicide detective Ron Iddles appeared on the Australian True Crime Live and revived a long-dormant lead about the notorious Mr. Cruel case. He claimed an “old crim” once told him that the man responsible for the abduction and murder of schoolgirl Karmein Chan lived in Eltham. This vague allegation — easily discredited — received media attention. But the timing of Iddles’ media appearance was no coincidence.