$500,000 reward announced for investigation into missing woman Allison Bernard

The family of Allison Bernard has made a heartfelt appeal for anyone with information into her disappearance to come forward as police announce a $500,000 reward, more than 10 years on from when she was last seen.

The family of Allison Bernard has made a heartfelt appeal for anyone with information into her disappearance to come forward as police announce a $500,000 reward.

Detective Superintendent Sonia Smith read a statement from the family during the announcement of the reward in Cairns on Wednesday.

“We the Bernard family are still devastated by Allison’s disappearance. Her absence continues to impact our lives and community, particularly her children,” she read.

“We acknowledge the announcement of the reward by the Police Minister and we encourage anyone who has information that may assist investigations to come forward.

“Family members deserve the respect of having the questions surrounding her disappearance answered.”

Police have announced a $500,000 reward for information from the public in relation to the disappearance of the 23-year-old mother-of-two from the Archer River Quarry near Coen in February 2013.

Police Minister Mark Ryan approved the significant reward for information leading to the circumstances surrounding Ms Bernard’s disappearance or leading to her being located.

The timing of the announcement has raised questions as to why now, after a decade, a reward is finally being offered for information.

Lawyer for Ms Bernard’s family Debbie Kilroy said it was unclear as to what may have triggered the latest move from police, but did confirm that Ms Bernard’s uncle Teddy Bernard was told by police of the announcement on Tuesday.

“We are unsure if there is now new information that has sparked this or if anything may have been uncovered in the latest searches that has not been presented to the family,” Ms Kilroy said.

Missing mother-of-two Allison Bernard.

Further details around the reward were released at a press conference at midday on Wednesday.

Det Sup. Smith confirmed that police have conducted a number of extensive searches in the Coen area but that they had exhausted their current lines of inquiry.

“We have reached a point in the investigation where we believe that the reward could generate information that could lead to the identification and conviction of any person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Ms Bernard,” she said.

“We will not give up. Ms Bernard’s disappearance has had a devastating impact on this community and together we won’t stop until we find answers.

“We would like to thank the local community who continues to support our ongoing investigations and urge members of the public to continue spreading the word – anyone with information should immediately contact police.”

Crimestoppers are currently on the ground in Coen in support of the reward announcement for the next few days, encouraging members of the local community to come forward with information.

An inquest into Ms Bernard’s disappearance and the adequacy of the subsequent police investigation is ongoing, and is due to resume its sittings in May.

Ms Kilroy was critical of the lack of communication from Queensland Police and their initial investigations.

“The family were never spoken to and they could have provided fundamental information on Ms Bernard, what she was like, and how she would have reacted in certain circumstances.”

The announcement comes over ten years since Ms Bernard was last seen on February 10, 2013, at the Exchange Hotel in Coen, before leaving with Archer River Quarry caretaker Thomas Byrnes.

Mr Byrnes has repeatedly denied he had anything to do with Ms Bernard’s disappearance, and no one has ever been charged.

In 2022, he provided the inquest his account that he and Ms Bernard had a consensual sexual interaction at the remote camp quarry he was caretaking.

He told the inquest that while he was out of the room, she walked out into the night wearing nothing but a towel.

Alison Bernard's mother and uncle Edwina Bernard and Teddy Bernard, pictured with a photo of Alison (left) with her grandmother and sister. The pair were in the Cairns Coroner's Court on the first day of the coronial inquest into Alison Bernard's disappearance in December 2021. Picture: Brendan Radke

Ms Bernard’s disappearance and its investigation has been the subject of a coronial inquest through late 2021 and into 2022, with directions given to investigators by the coroner at the conclusion of the second sittings.

A Detective senior constable told the inquest in 2022 he always suspected Ms Bernard was murdered, but no charges have ever been laid.

Northern Coroner Nerida Wilson in April last year gave police very specific search instructions, requesting they be actioned within four months.

Sites earmarked for new searches included an area that was freshly excavated in February 2013 at the Bowyer quarry at the Archer River.

Ms Wilson also ordered that police liaise with individuals with local knowledge and identify disused mine shafts that could be of relevance.

Since the renewed searches, police also marked the tenth year of Ms Bernard’s disappearance by carrying out doorknocks in the area she went missing hoping to uncover evidence or information which could lead to answers.

The next sitting of the coronial inquiry has been scheduled for May 9.

Originally published as $500,000 reward announced for investigation into missing woman Allison Bernard