A mysterious and gruesome Christmas Day discovery at Sandy Point in 2017, reveals a remarkable story that will be shared at Foster & District Historical Society on September 2.
When a snorkeller found human bones in shallow water at Sandy Point, investigators faced a baffling mystery. The near-complete skeleton offered few clues – no clothes, wallet, or identification. Only one piece was missing: the jawbone.
Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine investigators determined the remains belonged to a Caucasian male in his 20s or 30s, approximately 170cm tall. Radiocarbon dating suggested death occurred before the 1950s, but traditional DNA databases yielded no matches.
The breakthrough came through Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) – a groundbreaking technique never before used in Australia. By uploading DNA to public genealogy databases, investigators could search for distant relatives, building family trees to identify the unknown person.
Forensic researcher Runa Daniel finally connected the dots. The skeleton belonged to Christopher Luke Moore, a WWI veteran and farmer from Buffalo, South Gippsland.
On December 30, 1928, Moore was swimming with his brother at Waratah Bay when he disappeared beneath the waves. His desperate father couldn't reach him. Two weeks later, only a jawbone – identified by his father – washed ashore and was buried at Meeniyan Cemetery.
The missing jawbone from the 2017 discovery proved crucial. When investigators found coroner's records confirming only Moore's jaw had been recovered in 1929, the pieces fell into place.
Now, Fiona Leahy from VIFM will share in detail how this Australian-first identification was achieved. The presentation follows the Historical Society's AGM at 1:30pm on September 2 at Crawford Hall, Foster. Entry via car park, 2pm start. Gold coin donation for non-members, with afternoon tea provided.
