THE NSW Police Force has announced the reward for information into the murder of Bowraville teenager Colleen Walker-Craig has been increased to $1 million.
Colleen Walker-Craig was aged 16 when last seen at a party in Bowraville on Thursday, September 13, 1990.
Her family reported her missing the following day, and her weighted down clothes were later found in the Nambucca River.
Although Colleen’s body has never been found, the NSW Coroner found she had died and had most likely been murdered.
Her murder – as well as that of Colleen’s four-year-old cousin, Evelyn Greenup, and 16-year-old Clinton Speedy-Duroux – were originally investigated separately, before being linked by the Homicide Squad under Strike Force Ancud.
A man has previously been charged on separate occasions over two of the children’s murders and was subsequently acquitted.
Following further inquiries, Strike Force Ancud investigators took the matter to the Attorney General, who applied to the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal for a retrial in 2017.
The matter was heard at the High Court of Australia, but the application was refused.
In February 2020, the reward for information into the murders of all three children was increased to $1 million.
Later that year, an investigative and forensic review conducted by Unsolved Homicide Unit investigators.
Following consultation with the families, investigators sought to have separate $1 million rewards for information to help solve each murder, which now apply.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said police will continue to pursue justice for all three children and their families.
“The murders of Colleen, Evelyn and Clinton have never been forgotten by the local community or police – and I hope further increasing the reward for information reflects this,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“Investigators remain conscious of the fact the families of each child have endured numerous appeals, inquests and adverse court outcomes – but we’re desperate for additional information so we can resolve these murders.
“We know there are people out there who have not approached police and have information about who is responsible; now there is an even greater financial incentive to change that,” he said.
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.
Information is treated in strict confidence.
The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
