Police search Illawarra bush for remains of Pauline Sowry after mother last seen in 1994

There has been a renewed push to solve a cold case spanning back more than 30 years with police scouring bushland in the Illawarra escarpment.

Police searching bushland in the Illawarra last week looking for clues to solve the cold case of missing woman Pauline Sowry. Picture: NSW Police

There has been a renewed push to solve a cold case spanning back more than 30 years with police scouring bushland in the Illawarra escarpment.

The search under Strike Force Athena is looking for the remains of Pauline Sowry, also known by her married name of Pauline Lawrence, who was 49 when she was last seen in the northern suburbs of Wollongong in December, 1993.

A coronial inquest in 2008 found the mother had died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994.

The strike force was established in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline’s disappearance, but despite extensive investigations her whereabouts remain unknown.

In March and May, 2023, police searched the Illawarra escarpment at Figtree, south of Wollongong, as part of investigations into Pauline’s suspicious disappearance.

Pauline Sowry was 49 when she went missing.

Officers and detectives attached to Wollongong and Lake Illawarra Police Districts, with assistance from Southern Region Operation Support Group and the NSW Police Dog Unit, were involved in the search.

In March, 2024, the NSW Government and NSW Police announced a $500,000 reward for information.

The search comes a year on from another search in a similar location.

In May, 2024, police issued an appeal for information about a vehicle Pauline may have been travelling in, south of Wollongong, around the time of her disappearance.

It was described as a white 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan, which was said to be in ‘pristine’ condition.

A white 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan like the one police believe Pauline Sowry was travelling in.

As a result of further information received, the bushland search recommenced at Figtree last week.

Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar said the search showed NSW Police were committed to finding out what happened to Pauline.

“We don’t want to leave any stone unturned, this latest search is another step in trying to find crucial answers for Pauline’s family,” Assistant Commissioner Cassar said.

“Someone out there knows what happened to her and we believe this search could help unlock some vital information, as to where Pauline is.”

Police searching for remains in bushland at Figtree. Picture: NSW Police

In 2023, Pauline’s son Jason Lawrence said there was renewed hope his family may find answers.

“I’ve been robbed of a mother and robbed of a grandmother to my children. I’ve been robbed of a normal life, I don’t wish it on anybody,” Mr Lawrence said.

“It would be really good to get some closure and know that she didn’t leave us and something had happened … if something has happened to her, say okay you are there and we can put you in a place where you can rest.”

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