Christine Fenner disappearance: $500k reward offered in attempt to solve cold case from 1999

The son of missing Queensland woman Christine Fenner has told of his vivid dreams that leave him waking in tears, as police offer a $500,000 reward for information leading to a conviction for her murder.

It’s been 24 years since William Fenner walked the line with a troop of orange-clad State Emergency Services volunteers to look for signs of a disturbance at his mother’s rural home.

He dreams about her still – vivid dreams where he wakes in tears to the reality of her absence.

“I was laying on the floor and I had my arm wrapped around her calf as she was sitting above me on a couch, stroking my head like when I was a child,” William told a media conference today.

“And she was telling me everything was going to be all right. I was crying in the dream and then I woke suddenly – still crying.

“It felt like there was no separation between reality and the dream.”

Christine Fenner, 48, a free-spirited mother-of-two, disappeared on February 12, 1999, from the small Booyal property where she was living off-grid with her partner Mark Graham.

Police have now announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to a conviction for her murder in the hope it will help solve the long-running case and provide her grieving family with answers.

Relatives of missing woman Christine Fenner speak at the announcement of a $500,000 reward for information in relation to her disappearance. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Homicide cold case Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said the last person to see Christine alive was a friend who visited her around noon on February 12.

“She was home alone at the time and noted to be in poor health,” Det Sen Sgt Kentwell said.

“Christine’s friend encouraged her to seek medical attention, but she declined.”

She said when Mark returned from helping a friend move house at 5.30pm, he found their caravan empty.

Christine Maria Fenner disappeared in February 1999.

Christine was not reported missing until five days later, with her partner and family not initially concerned because she’d often disappear for a couple of days to visit with friends.

“Police co-ordinated an extensive foot search of the area surrounding Christine’s home,” Det Sen Sgt Kentwell said.

“Christine’s bank account has never been touched and all other proof of life inquiries have proven negative,” she said.

Both police and Christine’s family believe her body would have been found in the searches that took place after her disappearance had she walked away and died.

She also left behind her shoes and other personal items.

Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell of the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team announces the reward. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Police over the years have interviewed persons of interest and conducted thorough searches of bushland, dams, houses and sewerage systems in the Wide Bay area.

A coronial inquest held in 2008 found Christine was dead but the circumstances of her death were unknown.

“It is never too late to come forward,” Det Sen Sgt Kentwell said.

“Relationships and loyalties change, people who were once scared may no longer be and we would encourage these persons to come forward.”

Christine’s sister Helena Dzwiniel said the family wanted to give her a proper burial.

“She was my best friend,” she said.

“She was a couple of years older than me and she always looked after me.

“She had a heart of gold. She was a gypsy. She was like a little whirlwind. She had a personality as large as life. And a heart just as big.”

Christine’s daughter Cindy Dzwiniel said their mother’s partner Mark, who had since died, had been heartbroken at her disappearance.

“He was kind hearted. He was very gentle (and) adored her.”

William said his mother brought laughter and happiness to their lives.

“Christine is loved and still missed and we the family would like to know what happened to mum after all these years,” he said.

“I ask one question of anyone out there with the information on mum’s disappearance.

“I’d like you to think … would you like to know what happened to a member of your family if you were in our position?”

Police want to speak to anyone with information on Christine’s disappearance, including anyone who knows anything about her movements on February 12, 1999, after her friend visited the Booyal property.

Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000.