Kelly
remains mystery, no bones about it
AAP
21 May 2007
source: theage.com.au/news/National/Kelly-remains-mystery-no-bones-about-it
Once again, Ned Kelly has authorities scratching their
heads. But this time it's the skeletal remains of the
notorious bushranger which have gone missing. Heritage
officials in Victoria say Kelly's skeletal remains
have been removed from Melbourne's Pentridge Prison
- but where they are now is something of a mystery.
Kelly was hanged at the Old Melbourne Gaol in 1880
and his remains, together with those of other executed
prisoners, were moved to Pentridge in the 1920s and
1930s and buried in a mass grave. Until recently, authorities
believed all executed inmates were buried in a designated
area within the prison grounds.
However, a historical plan revealed some burials could
have been located outside the cemetery area and further
investigations confirmed the accuracy of the document.
Now, Heritage Victoria bosses believe Kelly's remains
could have been moved or discarded during drainage
works some 50 years ago, and recent archaeological
tests have since found no evidence of remains nearby.
"Based on the information available to us, we
now believe these remains were probably removed in
the 1950s or 1960s, as part of the installation of
large service pipes that took place at the prison at
the time," Heritage Victoria executive director
Ray Tonkin said. Heritage Victoria is overseeing development
at the Pentridge Prison site to ensure burial sites
- which also include that of Ronald Ryan, the last
person executed in Australia - are properly and respectfully
managed.
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