THE main person of interest in the disappearance of Lucille Butterworth has denied he made admissions to police and prisoners about her murder.
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Convicted killer Geoffrey Charles Hunt on Monday began giving evidence to the coronial inquest examining Ms Butterworth’s suspected homicide.
Ms Butterworth, 20, vanished from a Claremont bus stop 46 years ago when she was on her way to visit her fiance John Fitzgerald at New Norfolk.
Mr Fitzgerald lived 50 metres away from Mr Hunt in 1969, the inquest heard.
The inquest previously heard evidence from a former policeman that when Mr Hunt was arrested for the rape and murder of car saleswoman Susan Knight in 1976 he also made admissions about killing Ms Butterworth.
Counsel assisting the coroner Simon Nicholson read Mr Hunt evidence from former Detective Sergeant Ken O’Geary.
Mr O’Geary said Mr Hunt told him that he was driving past the bus stop and saw Ms Butterworth and offered to give her a ride.
The inquest heard that Mr Hunt pulled over on the way to New Norfolk and tried to kiss Ms Butterworth, who resisted.
‘‘Next thing I know I had my hands around her throat,’’ Mr Nicholson read to Mr Hunt.
Mr Nicholson then read to Mr Hunt that he disposed of Ms Butterworth’s body by carrying her down to the Derwent River in a ‘‘fireman’s lift’’.
Mr Hunt remained emotionless as the statement was read out, before replying ‘‘incorrect’’.
Mr Nicholson also told Mr Hunt the evidence of three prisoners who served time with him.
The prisoners all recalled Mr Hunt speaking of getting away with a second murder.
Mr Hunt denied talking about Ms Butterworth in jail, and said the statements were incorrect.
Mr Fitzgerald broke down in the public gallery as some of the evidence was read out.
Outside court, he said he just wanted to find Ms Butterworth’s remains.
‘‘I just hope in the next couple of days something comes up out of this,’’ Mr Fitzgerald said.
‘‘We deserve to know what happened to her,’’ he said.
Extra police were required to separate Mr Hunt from the Butterworth family.
The inquest also heard Mr Hunt had a licence in 1969 and drove an FB Holden, and one similar has been placed near the bus stop when Ms Butterworth disappeared.
In a police interview last year, Mr Hunt said he had never laid eyes on Ms Butterworth.
The inquest before coroner Simon Cooper continues.
