The Murder of Roy Ferguson by 'The Black Widow'

This Spanish-style mansion at 2 Grays Road in Hamilton looks pretty peaceful now, but back on August 20, 1953, it was anything but. That night, a truck with its headlights dimmed was idling outside, with two men, Albert Eric Murphy, 35, and William Ernest 'Ernie' Hamilton, 39, hunched inside. They were watching for a signal.

The porch light flickered, and the front door opened. Sylvia Ferguson, 35, let them in. She slipped into the bathroom as they went past. The men continued to the bedroom, where Roy Ferguson, 39, Sylvia’s husband, was asleep. One of the men, with a claw hammer, struck him. They moved quickly after that, getting rid of the weapon in the river.

Sylvia thought Roy was gone. But he was still alive, although badly injured. Around 1:30 AM, Thelma and Wally Gray, who lived here with the Fergusons, were woken up by Sylvia’s screams. She cried, "Wally, Wally, help me! Roy's dying!" She then told responding police that an intruder had come and gone. Doctors tried to save Roy’s life, but his injuries were too severe. His brother recalled Roy’s last words were, "They told me to shut up," and "They called me a-."

Roy Allen Ferguson was born in Newcastle in 1914. He grew up in the hotels his mother owned and eventually built his own empire of hotels and pubs with his brother, John 'Jack' Ferguson. He had a past, including black market dabbling and prison time for assault, but was described as "really kind" and a "good boss." In 1946, he met Sylvia Joyce Clare Mitchell, a barmaid and socialite, in Newcastle. They lived together, appearing married, though they weren't legally wed until June 1953. They then moved to Queensland, where Roy planned to open a brewery in Brisbane.

Albert Eric Murphy, a server at one of Roy's pubs, was having an affair with Sylvia. She told him Roy was violent and that she was afraid to leave him. She convinced Murphy that the only way they could be together was if he helped her "get rid of him" and claim his wealth. They then recruited Ernie Hamilton, a truck driver, promising him 2,500 pounds to help with the killing.