A new DNA program sparks hope for the family of Joanne Ratcliffe, who mysteriously disappeared from Adelaide Oval with Kirste Gordon 47 years ago

On the 47th anniversary of the abduction of girls Joanne Ratcliffe and Kirste Gordon from Adelaide Oval, a new DNA-matching program may hold the answer for their long-suffering families.

• Joanne Ratcliffe’s mother died in 2019 never knowing the truth
• Kirste Gordon’s parents speak on Missing Children’s Day

Every time Suzie Ratcliffe receives new information into the disappearance of her sister Joanne that leads to another dead end, it breaks her all over again.

But on the 47th anniversary of the mysterious disappearance of Joanne Ratcliffe, 11, and Kirste Gordon, 4, – abducted from a football match at Adelaide Oval in 1973 – identifying her sister’s remains seems closer than ever before for Ms Ratcliffe.

“Of course whenever someone comes forward with new information, it strikes at our heart, we try not to build up our hopes too much because if it’s a dead end it breaks us all over again,” Ms Ratcliffe told The Advertiser.

Suzie Ratcliffe, the sister of Joanne, at Adelaide Oval in 2016. Picture: Matt Turner

The Australian Federal Police this month launched a national DNA program for unidentified, missing persons to allow advanced DNA profiling and matching of unidentified human remains from missing persons for the first time.

Project lead, associate professor Jodie Ward, said up to 500 sets of remains would be examined with modern forensic techniques to fill gaps in Australia’s national missing persons databases.

In the event there are no DNA matches, the new technology will be used to predict the ancestry, eye and hair colour or distant relatives of the unknown individual to assist with linking them to a missing person.

The AFP’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre will work with police and families of missing people to collect reference DNA samples to assist with filling gaps.

“My goal is to identify some of these deceased people and provide answers to families with missing loved ones, and we have the science to do that,” Dr Ward said.

“The legacy of this program is that we have... more streamlined forensic approaches for missing persons investigations going forward.”

Multiple properties in South Australia’s Mid North have been searched for Joanne and Kirste’s remains, but after 47 years, Ms Ratcliffe has not buried her sister. A sketch of a suspect has been drawn and a $1 million reward is offered for anyone who provides information that leads to a conviction.

Sketch of a man police created for the suspect in connection with the disappearance of Joanne and Kirstie.

Her brother, David Ratcliffe, sadly passed away in April from a heart attack at age 59 – leaving Ms Ratcliffe as the only remaining immediate family member in need of answers.

“He and Joanne were thick as thieves and I know over the years it had tortured him, he blamed himself a lot for not being there and not being able to protect the girls on the day they were taken.”

She said the prospect of identifying Joanne’s remains would bring her brother, mother, and father peace from the grave.

The unidentified human remains of about 500 people have been found in Australia, with the new program aiming to give closure to families after years of searching.

“This new technology and this new program, that’s a huge light for families, knowing it could possibly lead to them finally being reunited with their loved ones.

A photo of Joanne Ratcliffe taken about six months before she was abducted.

Kirste Gordon was four when she disappeared.

“We just want to bring Joanne and Kirste home so we can bury them with the love and respect they deserve.”

In 2015 Ms Ratcliffe formed the Leave a Light On Foundation to raise awareness for long-term missing persons and connect a community experiencing loss.

The organisation was named after Ms Ratcliffe’s mother left the light of their Campbelltown property for years following Joanne’s disappearance – in case she returned home.

Ms Ratcliffe remains in contact with Kirste’s family through a victim support officer, and has communicated with more than 150 families of missing persons to alert them of the new DNA program.

Her daughter, Tamara, 14, was given her middle name after Joanne.

“(Tamara) looks very much like her Aunty Joanne, and who has the same sort of fiery temper, but also the same caring and loving nature.”

Every year Ms Ratcliffe and Tamara go to Woolshed Falls near Beechworth in Victoria to throw flowers down the falls on Joanne’s anniversary on August 25.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the pair will this year burn a candle in her honour.