Sallie Anne Huckstepp
Sallie Anne Huckstepp (1954–1986) was an Australian sex worker and heroin addict who became a whistleblower,
| Sallie Anne Huckstepp | ||
 | ||
| Sallie Anne Huckstepp | ||
| Born | 1954 Australia | |
| Died | Died February 7, 1986 (aged 32) Centennial Park, Sydney, Australia | |
| cause of death | Strangulation and drowning | |
| Nationality | Australian | |
| Occupation(s) | Sex worker, Whistleblower | |
| Spouse(s) | Bryan Huckstepp (divorced) | |
| Children | 1 (Sascha) | |
| Known for | Exposing police corruption in Sydney | |
| Partner(s) | Warren Lanfranchi (deceased) | |
| Years active | 1981–1986 | |
exposing police corruption in Sydney during the 1980s. Her public accusations brought her into conflict with powerful figures within the Sydney underworld and law enforcement. Huckstepp's murder remains one of Australia's most notorious cases of gangland crime.
Early Life and Background
Huckstepp was born in 1954. By the age of 17, she was heavily involved in drugs and prostitution. She married Bryan Huckstepp, a small-time criminal, and they had a daughter named Sascha. However, the marriage dissolved due to continued involvement with crime and drug culture.
Huckstepp began a relationship with Warren Lanfranchi, a prominent Sydney criminal, and became pregnant again. Lanfranchi was implicated in a $37,000 drug theft and was reportedly expected to pay an additional $50,000 to ensure his safety. This led to a fatal confrontation with Roger Rogerson, a New South Wales detective closely tied to the underworld.
The Death of Warren Lanfranchi
On June 27, 1981, Lanfranchi was shot dead by Detective Rogerson during a planned meeting in Sydney. Police claimed that Lanfranchi drew a revolver first, forcing Rogerson to fire in self-defense. Witness accounts, including testimony from Neddy Smith and other associates, contradicted the official narrative. Sally Anne Huckstepp later appeared on national television, accusing Rogerson of premeditated murder and exposing systemic police corruption.
Whistleblowing and Public Exposure
Huckstepp's allegations on the program 60 Minutes made her a high-profile figure and a target within both the criminal underworld and corrupt elements of law enforcement. Her bravery garnered significant media attention, but it also placed her life in constant danger. Despite her fears for her safety, Huckstepp continued to speak out, claiming she knew "too much."
Murder
On February 7, 1986, Huckstepp’s fully clothed body was discovered submerged in Sydney’s Centennial Park. The autopsy revealed that she had been strangled before drowning. Initially, her death was treated with suspicion but not conclusively as a murder. Over the following years, multiple inquiries and testimonies pointed to Neddy Smith as her likely killer. Smith, however, never faced formal charges for Huckstepp’s murder, despite allegations and evidence linking him to the crime.[1]
