The NSW Special Commission of Inquiry into LGBTIQ hate crimes recently heard harrowing evidence surrounding the brutal murder of Sydney’s beloved drag performer, Wendy Waine. Wendy Waine, renowned for her dazzling stage personality and captivating performances at Pete’s Beat on Oxford Street, was tragically found lifeless in her bedsit on April 30, 1985. The inquiry, led by Counsel Kathleen Heath, shed light on the case, exposing a multitude of theories and raising concerns about the initial police investigation.
Wendy Waine’s vibrant presence graced the stages of Pete’s Beat and the iconic Les Girls, where she mesmerized audiences with highly professional and lavishly colorful shows. Beyond her stage career, Wendy had also taken up sex work, which exposed her to significant risks of violence. Her untimely demise shocked the community, as she was discovered naked and apparently knocked unconscious by a blow to the head, before being fatally shot twice in the back.
The inquiry revealed a plethora of theories regarding Wendy Waine’s murder, leaving investigators with a challenging puzzle to solve. Physical evidence indicated the use of an automatic pistol, suggesting the involvement of a person with knowledge about the significance of ballistic evidence. Suspects were mentioned in 1985, including a security guard and a police officer from Darlinghurst Station. An anonymous witness even alleged the involvement of underworld figure Neddy Smith, claiming that Wendy Waine “knew too much.” Additionally, a potential motive arose due to an incident involving heroin, where Wendy’s actions may have put her at risk of retaliation.
Kathleen Heath voiced concerns about the loose ends and unexplored leads in the original police investigation, leaving questions unanswered and deepening the mystery surrounding Wendy Waine’s tragic fate. Regrettably, decades later, the identity of Wendy Waine’s killer, or potentially killers, remains elusive. The NSW Special Commission of Inquiry will continue its hearings, with Supreme Court Judge John Sackar set to deliver a final report to the NSW government in August. The pursuit of justice for Wendy Waine and the resolution of this haunting case remain of paramount importance to the community at large.