A FORMER paramedic has claimed an engagement ring featured in a police appeal did not belong to his wife, who is suspected to have been murdered.
Mother-of-two Roxlyn Bowie, 31, vanished after she was last seen at her Walgett home, in northern NSW, about 6pm on June 5, 1982.
Police search dam for Walgett mum Roxlyn Bowie who went missing 36 years ago
Vietnam vet John Bowie denies he killed his wife Roxlyn Bowie, missing since 1982
Witnesses have identified the ring as belonging to Roxlyn.
Police firmly believe it once belonged to her, and have said the ring was pawned and then sold at a Bankstown pawn shop on June 6, 1984.
Investigators have urged the person who bought the engagement ring (similar to the one pictured) to come forward, saying it could be of great benefit to the investigation.
Roxlyn Bowie’s husband John Bowie, who now lives in Queensland, has denied involvement in her disappearance and suspected murder, but has previously told The Courier-Mail he believes police will charge him.
When asked about the engagement ring, he said it belonged to his second wife Anne and not Roxlyn.
“The engagement ring that Roxlyn had, it had a single stone on it,” Bowie said.
“I don’t know where they are getting this info from.
“They have been coming to me saying that I pawned different rings, yes I did.
“They are rings Anne gave me to pawn.”
When she vanished, Roxlyn did not have access to a car and her children, then aged two and six, were left without a mother.
An inquest held in 2014 found Roxlyn was dead but could not determine when or how she died.
Police have been conducting further searches in Walgett as part of renewed investigations into her suspected murder.
During a search last month a paddock was excavated and police found another ring made of sterling silver with the letter “R” on the front of it. They also found aluminium foil wrapped over a scalpel and a surgical mask.
Police have offered a $1 million reward for information that helps lead to a conviction.
Robbery and Serious Crime Squad Commander Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty urged anyone with information about the items to come forward.
“The support from the community in our pursuit to locate Roxlyn Bowie and piece together her last movements has been very beneficial,” Det Supt Doherty said.
“We’re hoping this assistance can continue as we are keen to speak with anyone who has more information about these items.
“In particular, Strike Force Maluka investigators want to hear from those who may have more information about the silver ring with the letter ‘R’ on it.
“Your information will be treated in strict confidence.”
Information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
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