Detectives who unmasked the 'Bondi Beast' almost 40 years after his first attack said telling his wife was 'incredibly difficult'.
The 'Bondi Beast' was the name given to a serial rapist who terrorised Sydney's eastern suburbs by sexually assaulting a series of women and girls.
Having first attacked in 1985, the unknown assailant remained undetected for 37 years, making it one of Australia's most significant unsolved crime sprees.
In 2005, officers from the New South Wales State Crime Command's Sex Crimes Squad established Strike Force Doreen to investigate five sexual assaults that took place in the region.
However, this was later expanded after further enquiries discovered 31 attacks between 1985 and 2001.
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Despite never finding the perpetrator, the police continued to work on the case in a bid to bring closure to the survivors.
Eventually, using DNA technology, authorities were able to whittle down the suspects to 324 people, and this was further narrowed down to one man.
In November this year, the identity of the perpetrator was revealed – Keith Simms, a man who died in February aged 66.
DNA evidence directly linked 12 of the survivors to Simms, while a further 19 of the incidents matched the rapist's pattern of behaviour.
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This included that fact he was armed with a knife, wore a balaclava and used particular words during his attacks.
NSW Police said in a statement on Monday, November 21: "Further investigations and forensic examinations, including additional Y-STR testing, revealed the DNA was linked to a man who died earlier this year, aged 66.
"Further forensic testing was conducted at the Forensic and Analytical Science Service, and in September 2022, it was confirmed the man's DNA matched the suspect profile."
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As is often the case with such attackers, Simms was discovered to have been living a double life, and was described by police as a 'family man' when he wasn't committing his horrific crimes.
In a new episode of 60 Minutes Australia, two detectives named Shelley and Josh who worked on the case opened up about what it was like telling his relatives.
"His family had no idea that he was committing these offences," said Shelley. "[They] really were beyond shocked when we had to tell them."
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Josh later explained: "We spoke to his wife. We met with her, explained things to her. Obviously it was a very difficult conversation for her and she was in a lot of shock."
"They're always horrible conversations to have because his family members are victims as well," added Shelley.
"They had no idea that he was doing these things and they knew him as a loving husband and father.
"For us to come in and deliver this horrific news, it was very traumatic."
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If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact The Survivor’s Trust for free on 08088 010 818, or through their website thesurvivorstrust.org
Daisy Phillipson