Nanny’s murder remains a mystery

A SECOND coronial inquest has been unable to determine who killed a nanny employed by a former rock drummer at Coolah 21 years ago.

Deputy State Coroner, Sharon Freund, yesterday (Wednesday) apologised to the parents of 20-year-old Penny Hill as she handed down an open finding into her death in July 1991.

Ms Hill’s body was found beaten and slumped on the side of the road three days after she had moved to the town to work as a nanny for former Billy Thorpe and the Aztecs drummer, Col Baigent, and his then wife Barbara Baigent at the Black Stump Motel.

She never regained consciousness and died in hospital two weeks later.

“You sought answers any parent would

“Unfortunately we couldn’t (find answers).

“I am truly sorry.”

The inquest heard allegations Mr Baigent had a “shocking temper” and was sexually predatory” towards “vulnerable women”.

Ms Freund said “Mr Baigent’s propensity for violence to individuals … young adults, is highly relevant to this inquest” but she delivered an open finding on how Ms Hill sustained her fatal injuries and referred the case to the Unsolved Homicide Unit,

Speaking after the Coroner handed down her finding’s Ms Hill’s mother, Jeanette Hill, said: “I just feel all the truth hasn’t been told.

“I really hope this will be (solved) so we can have a little peace in our life.”