Craig Henry Rumsby has been found guilty by a jury in the NSW Supreme Court at Dubbo for the murder of Michelle Bright in February 1999. Rumsby was also found guilty of choking an 18-year-old woman with the intention to rape her in January 1998, both crimes committed in Gulgong, a town in central west New South Wales.
Michelle Bright’s body was discovered in a hidden location beside Barneys Reef Road after she left a friend’s 15th birthday party. The autopsy revealed signs of violence, with her clothing disheveled and evidence of abrasions on her body. Rumsby denied the charges despite making a confession to undercover police prior to his arrest. While no physical evidence directly linked Rumsby to the murder, his wallet was found at the scene of the attempted rape.
During the trial, the jury heard testimony from the second victim, who described a similar attack by Rumsby, where he assaulted and threatened her. The prosecution drew parallels between the two incidents, highlighting the sexually motivated nature of the crimes. Rumsby’s defense claimed he was deceived into making the confession. Michelle Bright’s mother expressed relief and a sense of closure after the verdict. Rumsby’s sentencing will take place at a later date.
