$1 million reward for information on 2001 cold case of Janine Vaughan

The family of missing woman Janine Vaughan who disappeared after a night out in 2001 have begged the town of Bathurst for help, announcing a $1 million reward alongside NSW police for information related to the case.

• Mystery haunts lives of loved ones left behind

The family of a woman who went missing nearly 20 years ago have begged the town of Bathurst for help while offering a stern warning to the police.

Janine Vaughan was 31-years-old when she disappeared after a night out in Bathurst on Friday, December 7, 2001

There was a coronial inquiry into her disappearance and suspected death in 2009 where State Coroner Mary Jerram said that her case had “gone cold” and the initial investigation had been flawed.

Janine Vaughan who was last seen in Bathurst in 2001.

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Police believe a red sedan, which was seized during the initial investigation, might provide DNA samples with the use of new technology.

Detectives confirmed that the night Janine went missing another woman had reported a red sedan for following her and making her feel at risk.

Her sister Kylie Spelde believes someone in the city knows what happened to Janine.

“I personally feel the city has been holding a big secret,” Kylie Spelde said.

“I don’t like to go there, I get a terrible feeling. It is hard to visit on birthdays and anniversaries.

“We really have not had much response from the public. I would hope the rest of the town stops being frightened or scared and comes forward.”

Ms Vaughan got into a bright red sedan after a night out in December 18 years ago.

Ms Vaughan was 31 when she disappeared.

Her brother Adam Vaughan struggled through tears and gritted teeth when he said he was glad police are now offering a $1 million reward for information about his sister’s death.

“I hope, I hope that the information that was given to the police 18 years ago didn’t get missed and we’ve gone through this s**t, for all this time, when it could have been solved,” he said.

“That is what we have gone back to today. The same car, the same woman that was on the street. Her family got lucky and we lost our sister.”

Detective Superintendent Scott Cook said they analysing the case as if it was brand new.

“We are reinvestigating this matter from the beginning, we’re not taking anything for granted — we’re double checking everything,” Detective Superintendent Scott Cook said.

A $1 million reward will be announced for information relating to the cold case. Picture: Toby Zerna

“We are not ruling anyone out.”

During the coronial inquiry in 2009, the facts of the case were laid bare before the court.

Police investigated 47 people as part of the case but this was whittled down to three persons of interest, all of whom denied any involvement in Ms Vaughan’s disappearance.