Killer on the Run

There's a man hiding in dense ravines and cliffs of the rugged Barrington Tops who is wanted for two murders. Malcolm Naden is the state's most wanted man and has been on the run for five years. He's the only fugitive since Ned Kelly, to have a bounty put on his head.

He's been creeping up to remote rural houses and sneaking into their roof at night and when the owners leave the house, he steals what he needs and moves on. So far he's stolen a shotgun, two rifles, camping equipment, gravy sachets and weet-bix.

In June 2005, police found the body of his cousin Kristy Scholes in his bedroom at his grandparents house - he had lived with them since Year 7. He is also suspected of murdering another cousin Lateesha Nolan. He is responsible for leaving two families and six children without mothers.

In 2007, the government posted a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture. He is a former shearer and worked as a skinner and boner at the Dubbo abattoir. He became obsessed with religion and believed the end of the world was near. His excellent bushman skills have kept him on the loose for 5 years and he leaves behind butchered carcasses of kargaroos wherever he goes. In 2007, he left his fingerprint in a break and enter in a home in the Barrington Tops area but he got away and wasn't seen again for two years. Police now suspect he is back there.

Because he hasn't killed anyone yet, he could be considered non-violent and the country folk seem rather relaxed about his presence. "Nobody has ever seen him" one local said "He goes into these places and only takes food and supplies for survival and hardly leaves a trace".

And yes, you've guessed it - he's becoming a legend. Police warn that he is not a romantic hero - he killed two defenceless women, hardly someone you would look up to. But Paula Muddle in the local store at Barrington said his legend is growing.

It's cold and rugged this time of year up in that part of the world and it's not surprising he's finding refuge in people's roofs. Coincidentally, this is the country where Captain Thunderbolt hung out 140 years ago. "Thunderbolt's Trail" is a 4WD fire trail in the Barrington Tops State Forest which follows his original route. A bullet hole in the wall of Moonan Flat pub, made by the bushranger during a hold-up, is proudly on display near Scone, New South Wales.