But for Northern NSW couple Silvana and Michael, the image of Ivan Milat has been burned into their memories since their petrifying escape from him in 1987.
In the new issue of Woman’s Day, out tomorrow, they recount in vivid detail the night they escaped a manic Ivan, who accosted them while they were in a Sydney car park, asleep in their campervan. The flannelette-wearing murderer – several years before his 1994 arrest for the grisly Belanglo Forest backpacker killings – banged on the door growling that he was a police officer, even wearing a NSW Police hat.
“This guy was so intimidating. He made you believe you had done something wrong. It was all about power and control,” Silvana, who contacted Woman’s Day to share her story for the first time since her ordeal.
When Ivan ordered them to stay put before walking back to his car, then 24-year-old Silvana instinctively screamed at Michael to get in the front seat and, “JUST DRIVE!”
As Ivan pursued them through the streets of sleeping Sydney, Michael saw him pull out a shotgun, but his car was thankfully too low compared to the campervan to get a clear shot. It was only as Michael hurtled towards a police station that Ivan gave up his murderous chase.
While they managed to avoid death at the hands of Ivan Milat, at least seven other backpackers were not so lucky, infamously being slaughtered in the NSW wilderness. And in our exclusive interview, Michael and Silvana chillingly reveal why they believe there are more victims out there.
Get more details about the night they escaped Ivan in this not-to-be-missed story in Woman’s Day, on sale Monday, May 25.
Our not-to-be-missed issue of Woman’s Day, is on sale Monday, May 25.
