Ray and Jennie Kehlet: Forensic search for new evidence in mineshaft near Sandstone continues

Police are yet to reveal if they have found any items of interest as the search down a century-old mineshaft for clues to crack the unsolved murders of prospecting couple Ray and Jennie Kehlet enters its third day. The West Australian revealed earlier this week that special crime detectives had returned to the mineshaft near Sandstone where Ray Kehlet’s body was found in 2015 to start a new underground search for clues. Mr Kehlet and his wife, Jennie, went missing while prospecting with friend and colleague Graham Milne in March 2015. Mr Kehlet’s body was found down the mineshaft more than two weeks later, on April 8 that year. However, Mrs Kehlet’s body has never been found — and while Mr Milne is a suspect, no charges have ever been laid over the couple’s deaths. Police were prompted to revisit the mineshaft came after army veteran Rick, engaged by the Kehlet family, recently ventured down the pit and discovered the remains of a piece of clothing. Special crime division Det-Supt Rohan Ingles said a sample was taken of the garment and inquiries had not been able to establish that it definitively belonged to Mr Kehlet — but it also could not be ruled out. “The investigation team has determined the mineshaft needs to be thoroughly searched in case evidentiary material exists down there that can assist the investigation into the deaths of Ray and Jennie Kehlet,” he said. Asked for an update on the search on Friday, Insp. Geoff DeSanges said he could not provide details on “what may or may not have been located” but said the search was “very comprehensive”. “The search at Sandstone is continuing, we expect it to continue for a number of days,” he said. “WA Police have been supported by exceptional professionals in the mining industry and within our own agency. “We’ll stay out there until the job’s done.” Mr Kehlet’s brother, Dave Kehlet, told The West he was “hopeful” the search would uncover evidence that could deliver justice for his brother and his wife. There is now a reward of up to $2 million for information that could solve the murders of the couple. Police Commissioner Col Blanch, asked this week if he hoped the search would lead to finding Mrs Kehlet’s body, said “I absolutely hope so”. “I think that’s the primary objective — to get more evidence to close this case,” he said.