NSW Police have announced a $750,000 reward for information on the disappearance of Rose Howell, more than 20 years ago.
Ms Howell, who was 18 at the time, was last seen on April 11, 2003, in Repton – about 25kms south of Coffs Harbour – at about 6:15pm walking east on Perrys Rd.
Malila Howell, Ms Howell’s mother, believed she was intending to meet friends at Bellingen. It was no unusual for Ms Howell to spend the night at her friends’ homes.
Ms Howell’s disappearance occurred just days before her 19th birthday, which police had been told she was excited for.
Two days after, on April 13, Ms Howell was reported missing when she failed to return home and meet her mother for an appointment.
In 2012, a coronial inquest ruled Ms Howell had likely died in the area she was last seen.
The inquest found Ms Howell had been hitchhiking but was unable to determine the date, place and cause of her death.
“I am satisfied that had she been alive, (Ms Howell) would have been in contact and would certainly have attended her birthday party,” Deputy State Coroner Magistrate P. A. MacMahon said at the conclusion of the inquest.
“It is therefore more probably than not that she died at or about the time of her disappearance.
“And, that her death occurred in the vicinity of where she was last seen.”
At the time of Ms Howell’s disappearance, she was described as Caucasian appearance, between 160-165cm, tall, with short, dark hair styled in a mohawk and hazel eyes.
Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty and Malila Howell will address the media about the announcement later today.
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