NSW Police re-appeal to solve suspected murder of Bowraville’s Colleen Walker Craig, Clinton Speedy-Duroux, Evelyn Greenup

Homicide detectives are busy taking statements as they probe the suspected murder of three children from Bowraville in the 1990s, with a focus on finding the remains of 16-year-old Colleen Walker-Craig. Here’s the latest.

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad Commander, speaks at Bowraville. Police and family are hunting for answers on the disappearance and suspected murder of three children.

Note: This story contains names and images of deceased Aboriginal persons.

Homicide squad detectives are busy obtaining formal statements in the Bowraville community on the second day of a week long re-appeal for information into Colleen Walker Craig’s disappearance and suspected murder in 1990.

Family still need answers about her disappearance from the small NSW country town on the state’s Mid-North Coast at age 16.

More than three decades on, NSW Police homicide squad detectives are joining family in calling for answers to solve the murder of three children in the town in 1990 and 1991 – including Colleen, Clinton Speedy-Duroux, 16, and Evelyn Greenup, 4, Colleen’s cousin.

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad Commander, said: “The focus on information we’re appealing for is not only who may be responsible, but also locating her (Colleen’s) remains and finding the answers for the family.”

Colleen Walker Craig was last seen at aged 16 in 1990.

Colleen was last seen after a party in Bowraville between September 13, 1990 and September 15, 1990.

Her clothing was found in the Nambucca River in April 1991 and a subsequent inquest found that she was deceased and had been murdered.

Det Supt Doherty said the investigation faced barriers, including ambiguity around when Colleen was last seen, the lack of today’s investigative technology and the passage of time.

Speaking from Bowraville during the Strikeforce Anchor police operation from Monday to Friday, Det Supt Doherty reminded the community Colleen was not the only young person murdered in the area.

Colleen Walker Craig's mother and family members speak to Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad Commander, during the appeal.

“Let’s not forget Colleen’s cousin four-year-old Evelyn Greenup was last seen on 4 October 1990 and her remains were located in April 1991 in Bowraville,” he said.

“That’s hard to fathom – that a four year old was actually murdered in Bowraville.”

Det Supt Doherty also spoke of Clinton, who was last seen alive on February 1, 1991. His remains were found within a the month.

Bowraville victims Colleen Walker Craig, Evelyn Greenup and Clinton Speedy-Duroux. Police are re-appealing to find out what happened to them.

Det Supt Doherty said police taking statements so soon in the appeal was a “positive” sign and showed the physical police operation in Bowraville “is working”.

“It’s important for us to be here to let the family know and the community know that we haven’t forgotten,” he said.

Det Supt Doherty said officers were available at Grant’s Hall, High St, but anyone with more information could also phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Tips can remain anonymous.

There is a $1 million reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for each of the children’s murders, as well as for information leading to the location and recovery of Ms Walker Craig’s remains.

The reward was increased from $250,000 to $1 million in 2020 as their families continued to fight for answers.

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