Kath Pettingill, Matriarch of Melbourne’s Infamous Crime Family, Dies at 91
Kath Pettingill, the formidable matriarch of one of Melbourne’s most notorious crime families, has passed away at the age of 91 after a battle with dementia. Known as “Granny Evil,” she was a central figure in the city’s underworld, and her death marks the end of an era for a family that has been synonymous with crime for decades. A family member confirmed her death but declined to provide further details to the ABC.
Pettingill’s life was marked by relentless drama and tragedy. She was a notorious figure in her own right, running brothels and facing drug trafficking charges. Her sons became violent offenders, including Victor Peirce and Trevor Pettingill, who were acquitted of the murders of two police officers in the infamous Walsh Street shootings in 1988. The eldest son, Dennis Bruce Allen, known as “Mr Death,” was a suspect in 11 murders and managed to stay out of jail by becoming a valued police informer. Her son Peter Allen was a convicted armed robber, and Victor was fatally shot in 2002. Kath herself survived a 1978 shooting that left her with a glass eye.
The Walsh Street police killings remain one of the darkest chapters in Australian policing history. Two officers were gunned down in a planned ambush, and the trial that followed was fraught with controversy. Peirce’s wife, Wendy, was meant to be a key witness, but the case ultimately collapsed, leading to the acquittal of the accused. The Pettingill family’s connection to this event has cemented their place in the annals of Australian crime.
Kath Pettingill’s death closes a chapter on a family that has fascinated and horrified the public for generations. Her life was a testament to the complex and often tragic interplay between crime, family loyalty, and survival. While her legacy is undeniably dark, her story serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of crime on families and communities. She is survived by her remaining children and grandchildren, who now carry the weight of a name that will forever be linked to Melbourne’s criminal history.
Shimanta Das 
