Acquitted murder suspect Lloyd Rayney has spoken of his sadness that his wife's killer is still at large, rather than the relief he feels at being cleared of killing her himself.
After one of the most high-profile murder trials in the state's legal history, the barrister was unequivocally cleared on Thursday of killing his wife Corryn in 2007 and burying her in Kings Park.
Following a 40-minute judgment from former Northern Territory chief justice Brian Martin that brought an end to the five-year legal soap opera, a massive contingent gathered to hear Mr Rayney say how hard it was to still not know how his wife had died.
"It's been five years since Sarah and Caitlyn have been without their mum - they haven't been treated well by many people - but apart from that they still don't know, we still don't know what happened to Corryn," Mr Rayney said.
"That is a terrible tragedy.
"Despite the best-funded investigation, despite unlimited, apparently, resources at the disposal of those people investigating, this is still unresolved and that is an extremely hard thing for my family to accept."
An emotional Justice Martin - who was flown in from interstate and presided over the trial alone because the Rayneys were well known in the local legal community - choked back tears as he paid tribute to the conduct of Mrs Rayney's father Ernest Da Silva throughout the ordeal.
As Mr Da Silva was led away from the waiting throng outside the District Court, Ms Rayney's sister Sharon Coutinho read a prepared statement, thanking the police and friends for their support and vowing to continue the hunt for her killer.
"We would like to express our sincere appreciation for their determination and perseverance over the last five years in seeking justice for Corryn. Our gratitude and thanks also goes to Mr (John) Agius and the prosecution teams for finally giving Corryn a voice," Ms Coutinho said.
"Our special thanks and love goes to all our family and friends who have stood by us through this tragedy.
"Their love and support has given us the strength to deal with the loss of our beloved Corryn.
"Our quest for seeking justice for Corryn will continue."
Neither the police nor Mr Agius would comment after the verdict was read out.
The Rayney trial has been the biggest and most discussed in Perth since the murder and subsequent arson trial of Gypsy Joker bikie Graeme Slater, who was acquitted of the murder of former Perth chief of detectives Don Hancock in 2003.
