Tammy Dyson disappearance: Timeline of terror tracks missing mum’s final moments

It was a time when Fortitude Valley was Brisbane’s Sin City, an underworld rife with illegal casinos and brothels. We go inside the disappearance of young mum Tammy Dyson, track the timeline of her final moments.

Homicide detectives and family have launch a fresh public appeal to help solve the 28-year-old cold case over the disappearance of Tammy Dyson. Picture: Supplied QLD Police

A mother drops her two young children off at their grandmother’s on a summer’s day in 1995, kisses them goodbye and says she’ll be back soon.

Days go by, and then months, but Tammy Dyson never returns.

The 23-year-old’s disappearance is now being treated as a murder by Queensland Police, who’ve cracked open the almost 30-year-old case in the hope of finding her killer.

Tammy’s sons Jyles and Rainey Lebler were only toddlers when their outgoing mum disappeared, saying they haven’t given up hope of figuring out the truth.

“I just know something bad has happened to her,” Jyles, now 32, said.

“It hurts every day,” Rainey, 29, said.

A $500,000 reward for information into the 1995 murder of Tammy Dyson has been announced. Picture: Qld Police

Tammy – originally from Victoria – moved to Queensland in 1987 when she was just 17 years old with her sister and best friend, Olivia.

The sisters worked as strippers in Brisbane at a time when sin was king.

Pokies were banned, prostitution was hidden, and alcohol restrictions were in force, but an underworld of sleaze and corruption was happening in Fortitude Valley.

Illegal casinos and brothels were plenty, owned and run by some of the city’s biggest crime bosses.

A prime corner of real estate at the top of Brunswick St housed some of the biggest strip clubs, and earned the nickname the “sin triangle”.

But under the surface, millions of dollars was passed to police and politicians by the business owners in return for a licence to operate without consequence.

Drug trafficker Hector Hapeta.

Tammy worked at the Red Garter strip club on Anne St during the Fitzgerald Inquiry, which uncovered significant corruption.

Tammy also worked at Hot Lips – a dance studio managed by the niece of convicted drug trafficker, Hector Hapeta. He died in 1998.

Tammy was rubbing shoulders with known criminals involved in the underworld of Brisbane, according to police.

Homicide Cold Case Investigation Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said police suspected it was her demise.

“I believe that Tammy’s lifestyle at the time has resulted in (her death).

“Tammy was working in the industry, she was associated with the criminal element of society.”

Detective Senior Sargent Tara Kentwell said Tammy had associated with criminal elements of society. Picture: Steve Pohlner

In 1989, Tammy lived between New South Wales and Victoria with her then partner and father to her children, Natalis Lebler.

Tammy stayed in the adult entertainment history for years, using the stage name “Pebbles”.

In 1995, Tammy moved to Inala with her then partner, Ricky Devisser.

She arranged for Rainey and Jyles to stay with her mother in Victoria, with every intention to return and collect the boys.

Months later, a distressed Tammy called her sister from her Inala home. She’d been assaulted.

Olivia drove her sister to a drug rehabilitation centre at Currumbin where she stayed for four nights.

She was discharged on July 20, 1995 into the care of a woman who claimed to be Olivia.

She was lying. The mystery woman’s identity has never been found.

Over the next three days, strange things started to happen.

On July 21, Tammy signed over custody of her children and all her possessions to her mother.

On July 22, Olivia received a call from Tammy who didn’t sound like herself. She was talking about people from “the underworld.”

Tammy was never heard from or seen again.

Brothers Rainey and Gyles Lebler speaking about the cold case of their mother Tammy Dyson. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Jyles and Rainey grew up with their grandmother, but they have never stopped wondering about what happened to their mum.

“It was pretty difficult growing up, pretty upsetting,” Jyles said.

“Kids would start asking me questions when Nan would come to school but not mum, I used to be so scared of that.

“Growing up we have always been so confused about the whole situation.

“Our aunty (Olivia) was always telling me mum didn't just leave, something has happened.”

Olivia has since died of cancer, leaving Tammy’s mother, Loretta, without both of her daughters.

Loretta also had a serious stroke in December, so the boys want closure for their grandmother before it’s too late.

“She’s always wanted to know more.

A $500,000 reward for information into the 1995 murder of Tammy Dyson has been announced. Picture: Qld Police

“We were going through old photos the other day and it’s all very upsetting for her.

“She’s getting a bit older now.

“We all need that bit of closure for us to know what’s happened … we’re just under presumptions or thoughts in our heads about what’s happened to her.”

There is a $500,000 reward being offered for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of those responsible for the suspected murder of Tammy.

In addition, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the crime, who first gives such information.

Anyone with information, no matter how small or irrelevant they think it might be, is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.