Gordon James Richards, born on 12 November 1968 in Broken Hill, New South Wales, is a figure whose life is deeply enmeshed with the mysteries and legends of his hometown. The eldest of two children, Gordon’s parents, Edward and Linda Richards, raised him and his younger sister Michelle in a household that balanced traditional values with an openness to curiosity and exploration. Edward worked as a geologist, while Linda was a librarian, both professions contributing to Gordon’s early fascination with the natural and supernatural worlds.

From a young age, Gordon displayed a voracious appetite for the unknown. His parents nurtured his interests, providing him with books on ancient civilisations, cryptic symbols, and paranormal phenomena. This eclectic education shaped Gordon’s worldview, blending empirical inquiry with a fascination for the mystical and unexplained. As a teenager, he spent countless hours exploring the abandoned mines and ancient caves around Broken Hill, often accompanied by his sister Michelle and his close friend, Liam Abernathy.

Gordon attended Broken Hill High School from 1981 to 1986. Despite his unconventional interests, he excelled academically, particularly in subjects like history and literature. His teachers often noted his ability to draw connections between disparate pieces of information, a skill that would later define his explorations into the paranormal. Gordon’s short, tousled hair and penetrating blue eyes, combined with his quiet yet intense demeanour, gave him an enigmatic presence that intrigued his peers.

Upon graduating from high school, Gordon chose not to pursue a conventional career path. Instead, he dedicated himself to his passions, undertaking numerous expeditions to uncover hidden artefacts and forgotten knowledge. His adventures took him to remote locations, where he decoded ancient hieroglyphs and investigated paranormal occurrences whispered about in hushed tones. His findings, though often esoteric, provided him with a profound sense of connection to the past and the unseen.

In addition to his intellectual pursuits, Gordon found solace in the embrace of nature. He developed a deep appreciation for the wisdom inherent in the natural world, often spending days in the outback, contemplating the intricate patterns of the universe. Cannabis, with its transformative properties, became a significant aspect of his introspective journeys, allowing him to explore deeper layers of consciousness and creativity. These experiences not only expanded his perception but also strengthened the bond with his sister Michelle, who shared many of these moments with him.

Gordon’s life took a darker turn on 30 September 1988, when his sister Michelle, along with her friends Violet Dallow and others, embarked on a Girl Guides camping trip at the Silverton War Memorial Youth Camp. Gordon and Liam were at Penrose Park that night, where Gordon shared unsettling stories about a murdered backpacker. This encounter, intended as a harmless prank, added to the eerie atmosphere of the night and left the girls, particularly Violet, deeply shaken.

Violet’s subsequent disappearance and the discovery of her body weeks later cast a long shadow over Gordon’s life. The tragic event, linked to the elusive Silverton Strangler, deeply affected him. He was haunted by the possibility that his stories and presence that night might have indirectly contributed to the tragedy. Despite these fears, Gordon remained committed to uncovering the truth, driven by a need to protect his sister and honour Violet’s memory.

Today, Gordon continues his explorations, balancing his life between the realms of the known and the unknown. His relationship with Michelle remains a cornerstone of his existence, their shared experiences binding them together in a profound way. Gordon’s life is a tapestry of curiosity, adventure, and a relentless quest for understanding.