Christopher Dale Flannery
Christopher Dale Flannery /ˈkrɪs.tə.fər deɪl ˈflæ.nə.ri/ was born in February 1949. His parents divorced when he was 14 months old, with reports indicating his father
| Christopher Dale Flannery | ||
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| Christopher Dale Flannery in the early 1980s | ||
| Born | Christopher Dale Flannery Born February 12, 1949 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | |
| Disappeared | Disappeared May 9, 1985 (aged 36) | |
| disappeared_place | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia | |
| Status | Presumed dead | |
| nationality | Australian | |
| Occupation(s) | Criminal, Hitman | |
| alias | Rent-a-Kill | |
| Years active | 1970s–1985 | |
| Known for | Contract killings, underworld enforcer | |
| notable_crime | Murder of Roger Wilson (alleged), Attempted murder of Mick Drury | |
| spouse | Kathleen Flannery | |
| children | 3 | |
| Criminal charge | None (acquitted of major charges) | |
| Criminal status | Missing, presumed dead | |
physically abused his mother. Flannery displayed a violent temperament from a young age, allegedly inherited from his father. As a child, he was a talented swimmer, reaching under-age Victorian finals.
Flannery’s education was marked by instability, attending five schools before leaving at age 14. His early criminal activity began with car theft, and by his teenage years, he had been convicted of rape. Flannery was involved in armed robberies and routinely carried a firearm. He developed an interest in human anatomy, particularly how to incapacitate or kill. He studied medical texts to enhance his knowledge of bodily harm.
First Contract
In 1980, Flannery was contracted by a Melbourne gangster to murder businessman Roger Wilson. Flannery and an accomplice posed as police officers and intercepted Wilson's vehicle. After a failed initial shot, Flannery pursued Wilson, eventually killing him and burying the body with lime. Wilson's body was never recovered, and Flannery was later arrested but acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
After being acquitted, Flannery relocated to Sydney in 1979. At the time, the Sydney criminal underworld was undergoing significant upheaval, with old crime figures such as George Freeman facing challenges from new criminal factions involved in the heroin trade. Freeman employed Flannery as an enforcer. Flannery’s reputation for violence and his willingness to take on dangerous contracts earned him the moniker of Freeman’s "Rent-a-Kill."
During his time in Sydney, Flannery became associated with various individuals, including medical practitioner Dr. Geoffrey Edelsten. There are documented reports that Edelsten requested Flannery to deal with a troublesome patient, for which Flannery charged $50,000 for a murder and $10,000 for a physical assault.
Mick Drury Shooting
In 1984, Flannery was contracted to kill undercover police officer Mick Drury, who was investigating drug syndicates. Drury was shot twice at close range while in his home, but he survived. This incident caused outrage in the Sydney underworld, as it highlighted Flannery’s disregard for law enforcement. When Flannery realized Drury had survived, he reportedly told his employers not to pay the remaining fee for the contract.
Decline and Disappearance
Flannery's escalating violence and increasing notoriety made him a liability. In January 1985, he survived a machine-gun attack on his home in Sydney. Despite relocating, Flannery continued to be available for criminal contracts. His criminal connections began to fray, and in April 1985, he contacted drug dealer Tony Eustace, requesting a $25,000 loan to leave Australia. On May 9, 1985, Christopher Dale Flannery disappeared. His body was never found, and he is presumed dead.[1]
References
- Tough 101 Australian Gangsters By John Silvester and Andrew Rule, 2002, P.215-221.
