The cold case of three friends who were shot dead while holidaying through Australia has been reopened.
On October 24, 1978, Karen Edwards, 23, Tim Thompson, 31, and 21-year-old Gordon Twaddle were found dead in bushland near Mount Isa, regional Queensland.
They had all died from gunshot wounds.
The trio were camping with a man they had recently met during a road trip throughout Australia and were with their dog, which was also found dumped in a tip.
The case eventually went cold, but investigators from the Cold Case Investigation Team, with the assistance of Mount Isa Criminal Investigation Branch began a full review into the unsolved 40-year-homicide in 2018.
On October 24, 1978, Karen Edwards (pictured) was found dead from a gunshot wound with two companions
On October 24, 1978, Gordon Twaddle (pictured) was found dead from a gunshot wound with two companions
On October 24, 1978, Tim Thomson (pictured) was found dead from a gunshot wound with two companions
After extensive research, the team have decided to reopen the cold case and are now appealing for anybody with information to come forward.
'We are particularly interested in speaking with anyone who may have seen a male motorcyclist who befriended the group and joined them on their travels between Frewena and Mount Isa,' Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said.
The trio, along with their dog ' Tristie', were on a motorcycle trip when they were murdered.
They had planned to travel down the east coast of Australia to join family in Melbourne for Christmas.
The trio, along with their dog ' Tristie' (pictured), were on a motorcycle trip at the time of the tragedy
Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said investigators were confident the renewed focus could lead to a breakthrough in the case.
'Despite 40 years passing, we remain committed to solving this case, bringing those responsible to justice and ultimately providing closure to the victims' families,' Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said.
'We have reviewed thousands of pieces of information provided to police over the years, however, today we are launching a fresh appeal to encourage new witnesses and those who have already spoken to police to make contact with us.
All three victims were last seen alive leaving the Moondarra Caravan Park in Mount Isa in a brown and white Toyota Landcruiser long wheel drive with a man on the morning of Thursday, October 5.
Police have revealed a picture of a vehicle of interest since reopening the
