Police share frustration over Lin murder

More than a month after five members of a Sydney family were brutally murdered in
their home, police share the frustration of relatives and friends that no suspects
have yet been identified.
While continuing to investigate the killing of the Lin family members, police say
speculation about the murders "undermines" their attempt to solve the case.
"I'm satisfied with the progress of the investigation, but I certainly understand
the frustration that must be felt," homicide squad boss Detective Superintendent
Geoff Beresford told media on Thursday.
"Not only by the family, but of course, anyone who knew the family and the public at
large.
"Police not associated with the investigation certainly have spoken to us about
their frustration of not being able to see a motive."
The comments come as police denied receiving a letter from the Lin family's
solicitor which allegedly names two people said to be responsible for the killings.
A media report on Thursday said a two-page letter was received by lawyer Daniel
Sheen at his Sydney office two weeks ago.
Mr Sheen immediately handed the letter, which details how the family died, to
investigators, The Daily Telegraph newspaper reports.
However, Supt Beresford denied police had received such a letter from the lawyer.
"I know there is an enormous amount of interest in the letter that was referred to
in recent media articles," Supt Beresford told reporters.
"All I can say about that is investigators have not received any letter from the
solicitor as indicated in the media reports."
When asked if such a letter existed, Supt Beresford referred to the need for
confidentiality.
"It's important to stress that any information that we receive is always held in the
strictest of confidence and those confidences will never be betrayed by the
investigators in possession of that information," he said.
"Our greatest priority, of course, is to ensure that confidentiality, so I certainly
won't be commenting in any way, shape or form about the information that
investigators have received."
After Supt Beresford's denial that police received the letter, Mr Sheen insisted the
document existed and it was given to detectives.
"I have passed a number of letters to police," Mr Sheen told The Daily Telegraph
later on Thursday.
However, when speaking to AAP by phone from his Sydney office Mr Sheen would neither
confirm nor deny the letter's existence.
He said he was prevented from discussing the matter any further due to a deal
between the Lin family's surviving daughter, Brenda, and the Nine Network.
Mr Sheen said he was contacted by police about the letter on Thursday morning but
did not go into detail about the conversation.
Supt Beresford said speculation about evidence such as that involving the letter,
could harm the investigation.
"The constant drip-feeding of information to the public, whether accurate or
otherwise, is not in the interest of the Lin family, nor is it in the interest of
the investigation itself," he said.
"It undermines to some extent the investigation and the hard work being done by our
investigators."
Epping newsagent Min "Norman" Lin, his wife Yun Li "Lily" Lin, their sons Han
"Henry", 12, and Tian "Terry", nine, and Mrs Lin's sister Yun Bin "Irene" Yin, 39,
were bashed beyond recognition by their killers on July 18.
Eighteen detectives are working full-time on the case, plus numerous forensic
specialists.