George David Silva

George David Silva (1884 – 10 June 1912) was an Australian mass murderer. Charles Ching at Alligator Creek, about 20 miles (32 km) from Mackay, Queensland.

Early life Silva was born in Homebush, near Mackay, Queensland, to Sri Lankan parents. He became a passionate attendant of the local church and often led prayers. He became known as a preacher and a "pet" of the church. As an adult, Silva found work as a farmhand on a property at Alligator Creek, 20 miles out of town.

Silva's employer was a property owner named Charlie Ching. Ching was a man from Hong Kong who was married to English-born Agnes. They lived in a corrugated iron home with a dirt floor. The kitchen was in a separate structure, away from the main home. However, in comparison to Silva, who had almost nothing, they were wealthy.

Silva wanted to marry the Chings' oldest daughter, teenage Maud Ching. He told a neighbour that he would get a plot of land from Charlie Ching by Christmas and he would build a house to start a family. The neighbour replied "You can't marry. You got no money. You got no blanket. No decent trousers. How would a girl like to marry you like that?"

Silva's marriage proposal was rejected by the Chings as he had nothing to offer their daughter. Maud also rejected his advances.

Police and Aboriginal trackers inspected the crime scene, and after the trackers stated that there was no trail to follow the police homed in on Silva. Silva, fearing a lynch mob from Mackay, eventually confessed to police. He claimed that two neighbours had helped him murder the family, but the police found no evidence of him having any accomplices.

Victims Plaque at the burial site in South Brisbane Cemetery of those hanged at Boggo Road Gaol. Silva's name is third from the bottom.

Agnes Ching, wife of Charles Ching Maud Ching, 17, daughter of Charles Ching Teddy Ching, 10, son of Charles Ching Dolly Ching, 8, daughter of Charles Ching Hugh Ching, 4, son of Charles Ching Winnie Ching, 20 months, daughter of Charles Ching