Police dig for missing woman’s body on Yorke Peninsula
MAJOR crime detectives and forensic officers have started excavating a property on Yorke Peninsula, searching for the remains of missing mother Colleen Adams, who vanished 45 years ago.
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MAJOR Crime detectives are conducting extensive excavations searching for the skeletal remains of missing mother Colleen Adams at her former home at Maitland, on Yorke Peninsula.
The development in the 45-year cold case mystery follows a full review of the case file, which was revealed by the Sunday Mail two days ago.
Detectives and forensic officers descended on Ms Adam’s former home, in Bagnall Ave, yesterday and conducted preliminary examinations. Their work is continuing today with further excavations in the rear yard.
Forensic specialists used ground penetrating radar to survey the area under and around the house looking for any anomalies.
Officers were forced to move a large water tank to gain access to the slab beneath.
Numerous areas inside the modest home were also examined by forensic officers.
Detective Superintendent Des Bray said that fresh information had spurred investigators to attend the property this week.
“We have spoken with a suspect in this matter, and used a range of options to examine this property inside and out.
“After an anomaly was discovered we dug out a concrete slab under a garden shed and we are also closely examining a patch in the garden, however at this time we have not located any evidence linked with Mrs Adams’ disappearance.”
Ms Adams husband, Geoffrey, has told detectives his wife walked out the front door of their Yorke Peninsula home moments after telling him their marriage was over.
He said she was carrying two suitcases containing her belongings, she got into a vehicle driven by another woman and it drove away just after 7am on November 22, 1973.
Ms Adams, 24, has never be seen again.
While Mr Adams has repeated the same account to detectives each time he has been interviewed, it is at odds with the information they have gathered.
While it appears the couple were having marital problems — with neighbours reporting loud arguments for some time — there are numerous indicators that firmly show Colleen Adams was not planning to leave her Maitland home.
Foremost was the fact she doted on her two young girls, aged 18 months and 3, with relatives telling police she would never leave them — even if she had left her husband.
She had also been preparing for Christmas, buying a “special’’ present for her husband and other gifts for her sister.
While Ms Adams vanished on November 22, her husband did not report her missing to police.
On December — 27 days after she vanished — her mother, Vera Milbank, lodged a missing persons’ report with police.
In 1974, detectives made some follow-up inquiries in Maitland and Adelaide, but could not locate Colleen. The file remained an open missing person’s report until 1979, when the case was declared a major crime because there was no trace of her and she had made no contact with any family.
At that time, Major Crime detectives spent several months in Maitland and Wallaroo, where Geoffrey Adams had moved, interviewing people over the disappearance.
In 2001, Major Crime received information from a local that Ms Adam’s remains may have been disposed of at a private rubbish dump on the nearby Port Clinton Rd. An extensive searched found nothing.
On Sunday, Major Crime case officer Detective Brevet Sergeant Michael Newbury, who is conducting fresh inquiries in the case following a comprehensive review of the file, revealed the case was being treated as murder.
“We have an open mind as to what has happened and how it has happened, but we are of the opinion Colleen has been murdered,’’ he told the Sunday Mail.
“We do not hold out hope she is just missing and will turn up.’’
Det Bvt Sgt Newbury said Geoffrey Adams had consistently maintained that his wife left their Bagnall Ave house voluntarily each time he was interviewed.
“Geoffrey has told us he was out the night before at a Lodge meeting and she was at home with the children,’’ he said.
“He said he went to bed about midnight, woke at 7 the next morning to find her dressed, packed with two suitcases and ready to leave.
“He said it took him by surprise. He said at that point she told him she wanted nothing more to do with him or the children.
“He said she made disparaging remarks towards the children, she walked out and there was a woman aged about 40 in a vehicle. He said he had never seen her or the vehicle before.
“He said she got in and left and he never saw her again and has no idea how to track her down.’’
Anyone with information on Ms Adams’ murder or the whereabouts of her remains is urged to contact Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police are asking anyone who conducted work at property since 1973 or has a close relationship with the family to come forward.
A $200,000 reward is available in the case.
Originally published as Police dig for missing woman’s body on Yorke Peninsula