DESCRIPTION:
- 17 years of age.
- Light skinned.
- 177 cm (5 feet 10 inches) tall.
- Medium build.
- Fair coloured wavy hair.
- Blue coloured eyes.
- Last seen wearing a white open neck shirt, Italian made trousers with black and white check patterns black pointed shoes and grey socks.
QUICK CASE FACTS:
- Arrived in Fremantle on Sunday 22 December 1963 on board M.S.Samoa.
- Disembarked around 1.30pm on Tuesday 24 December and drank at several hotels around Fremantle.
- Around 5.15pm, his shipmates returned to the ship for a prearranged Christmas party with the captain of M.S. Samoa, leaving him at the Cleopatra Hotel.
- His movements since this time are unknown.
- Located deceased on a disused loading ramp near the intersection of Beach and James Street in Fremantle.
BACKGROUND:
Jens Braendgaard was born in February 1945 in Kalundborg in Denmark. He was a merchant seaman aboard the ship having sailed from his home town in Denmark, with Mr Braendgaard visiting Australia for the first time.
The merchant ship M.S. Samoa docked in Fremantle on Sunday 22 December 1963 having arrived from Adelaide.
CASE DETAILS:
At about 1.30pm on Tuesday 24 December 1963, Mr Braendgaard left the vessel with fellow shipmates by taxi, attending hotels in Fremantle, including the Cleopatra Hotel situated at 24 High Street, Fremantle. Being tall Mr Braendgaard was served alcohol despite the drinking age of the time being 21.
At about 5.15pm, Mr Braendgaard’s shipmates returned to the ship for a pre-arranged Christmas party with the captain of M.S.Samoa. Mr Braendgaard was last seen, sitting at the bar of the Cleopatra Hotel with his head down apparently sleeping as the group returned to the ship.
Mr Braendgaard’s movements are unknown from that time.
LOCATED:
Whilst out walking at approximately 7.00am on Christmas Day, Wednesday 25 December 1963, a factory worker found Mr Braendgaard’s body on a disused loading ramp. The loading ramp was near the old wool broker’s premises in Beach Street, near James Street, Fremantle.
At first, the factory worker thought it was a drunk man until his closer inspection. He advised a passing motorist of his discovery who left to alert police.
A police investigation was undertaken and included the interview of Seaman and Taxi drivers in the Fremantle area. A post mortem undertaken on Mr Braendgaard found the cause of death to be as a consequence of being stabbed.
The person or persons responsible for Mr Braendgaard’s murder have not yet been identified.
If you have any information about the murder of Jens Braendgaard or his movements between 5.15pm Tuesday 24 December 1963 and 7am Wednesday 25 December 1963, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an online report below. Please remember that you can remain anonymous if you wish and rewards are offered.
