An investigation by a retired detective from Borth has uncovered “strong indications” that his wife’s cousin was the first victim of Australia’s most notorious serial killer.

Keren Rowland, from Canberra, disappeared aged 20 in February 1971, and her body was found three months later, in nearby pine forest.

She was five months pregnant.

Although her family, which includes members in Borth, have asked police about the investigation for the past 50 years, no answers have been forthcoming.

In 2018, retired DS Hugh Hughes, who is married to Keren’s cousin Andrea, reviewed the case and supported Keren’s brother, Steve, to press the Australian Capital Territory Police for a review.

His findings indicated there were “many strong indications” that Keren was the first murder victim of Ivan Milat - who was convicted of murdering seven backpackers and hiding their bodies in Belanglo State Forest, New South Wales.

“Police have stated they cannot rule Milat in nor out, as a suspect; he was in the area at the time; drove a car similar to descriptions by young women accosted a few days before Keren and Keren’s body was deposited in a similar way to the backpacker victims,” Hugh told the Cambrian News.

“If it was him, he was early in his predatory career.

“However, we are still open to the possibility it was someone else.”

After contacting forensic anthropologist, Dr Xanthe Mallet and forensic psychologist, Tim Watson-Munro, the trio collaborated on research that led to a four-hour documentary series, Buried Secrets, being released in Australia this weekend.

The programme indicated that Milat could have had up to another 20 victims.

“We hope the programme will jog someone’s memory and they will feel confident to come forward,” Hugh said.

“Policing was different in 1971, both here and in Australia, we just want to the police to be open about what they know and how they are pursuing the case, 50 years after Keren was killed.

“Keren has not been respected, nor have her family.”

Hugh, who grew up in Borth and was initially a Special Constable in Aberystwyth before a 30-year career in CID and crime intelligence, was interviewed at length for the documentary, which aired on Sunday.

“I’ve known about Keren for 30 years, but trusted the police were doing their job properly and had reviewed the case at the time of Milat’s arrest in 1994,” Hugh said.

“Operation Air [the police operation to catch Milat] did look at Keren, but never informed the family, which is reprehensible.”

Australian Capital Territory Police said it is still appealing for information over Keren’s death.

Milat died of cancer aged 74 in Sydney’s Long Bay jail in 2019.