John Bowie charged with cold case murder of wife Roxlyn
John Bowie has been charged with the cold case murder of his wife Roxlyn, who disappeared in 1982. The arrest comes after police found a silver ring with the letter “R” that belonged to Ms Bowie as well as scalpels and a surgical mask during a property search in Walgett.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A distinctive ring, scalpels and a paramedic surgical mask buried in the dirt for more than 30 years have helped police charge a man over his wife’s cold case murder.
Looking flustered and emotional, John Bowie, 69, was marched through Sydney Domestic Airport on Saturday after being arrested over the disappearance of his wife Roxlyn Bowie in 1982.
The former paramedic was on his way to Surry Hills Police Station to be charged with murder when he told reporters: “I don’t even know if she is dead or not.”
Bowie’s arrest came after a gruelling investigation that saw detectives review every statement from the original investigation and re-interview key witnesses.
In the past 12 months Strike Force Maluka investigators returned to Walgett in western NSW, where Ms Bowie lived and was last seen, to dig up properties.
MORE NEWS:
Porn king and Brisbane barrister’s phones seized
Wharf precinct to go from ‘adequate’ to amazing
One location was a paddock, where police found a silver ring with the letter “R” that belonged to Ms Bowie.
Near the ring, police also found medical supplies used in ambulances, including scalpels and a surgical mask.
Robbery and Serious Crime boss Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said the forensic evidence formed one piece of the criminal jigsaw puzzle.
He conceded a big piece — Ms Bowie’s remains — was still missing, but investigators had a circumstantial case.
“We know the road ahead is going to be difficult,” he said.
“It’s a jigsaw puzzle that has painted a picture and enabled us to have a case, which is a circumstantial case.
“We understand that but we will have our day in court and hopefully get some justice not only for Roxlyn but her family.”
Ms Bowie was 31 when she disappeared from her Walgett home on June 5, 1982. She left behind two children, aged two and six, and her husband, Mr Bowie.
He told police that when he returned home from the pub that night Ms Bowie was gone.
After an inquest in 2014, a coroner found Ms Bowie, a devoted mother, had died but the cause was unknown.
Asked by reporters at Sydney Airport whether he missed his wife, Bowie replied “Rhianna, yes” in reference to another partner.
Bowie will face Parramatta Bail Court on Sunday charged with murder. A $1 million reward is still on offer for information leading to Ms Bowie’s remains.
While detectives decided recently that there was enough evidence to arrest Mr Bowie.
“He resigned himself to the fact that one day justice would come and knock on the door,” Det Supt Doherty said.
While Mrs Bowie’s daughter, Brenda Boyd, was grateful an arrest had been made, it was mixed emotions given her father was the man accused of murder, he added.