Should the Sounds murder investigation be reopened?

Police officers secure Scott Watson's sloop Blade to Waterloo Wharf in Wellington. The boat was involved with the disappearance of friends Olivia Hope and Ben Smart in 1997. Photo / Mark Mitchell.

Opinion

A report into the murders of Ben Smart and Olivia Hope has emerged claiming the infamous "mystery ketch" has been identified, with those on board, and the infamous crime had nothing to do with Scott Watson, now serving 19 years inside for the double-killing.

The report includes a distant and grainy snap of a woman the authors say is Hope, 17, taken at Marys Bay five days after she and Smart, 21, were said to have been killed following a 1997 New Year's Eve party.

The report by the Maritime Research Group comes ahead of the publication of a new book by author Ian Wishart, which also claims to have identified the ketch, initially the focus of police inquiries.

Debate on this article is now closed. Here is a selection of Your Views: