Tanya Farrington disappearance: appeal launched into missing north shore teenager
The family of a teenager who disappeared from her north shore home are vowing not to give up their four-decade search for answers. Tanya Farrington was 14 when she vanished from Nicholson Pde in Crows Nest in March 1979.
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The family of a teenager who disappeared from her north shore home are vowing not to give up their four-decade search for answers as a new appeal is launched into the cold case.
Tanya Farrington was 14 years old when she vanished from the family home on Nicholson Pde in Crows Nest on March 22, 1979.
Despite numerous police investigations, public appeals and a probe by the NSW Coroner, the case remains unsolved and an enduring mystery in Sydney’s history.
Tanya, who attended Cremorne Girls High School, was reported missing on March 23, 1979 when her mother woke to find her bed hadn’t been slept in and the back door ajar.
Police believe she may have hitchhiked from the home to Manly to visit friends or attend a disco but was never seen again.
Her brother, Anthony Farrington, said the disappearance of his only sibling “destroyed the family” and 41 years on continues to haunt her loved ones.
“I was 18 at the time – I’m 60 now – and I still break down twice a year and bawl by eyes out. It never goes away,” he said.
“For years my Dad was walking the streets of Manly, showing strangers photos of her, asking if people had seen her – he did that for years. Mum was never the same.
“I was her big brother, we grew up together, we played together. The memories never go away.”
The family’s extensive search for answers has included multiple appeals for information on TV programs including The Mike Walsh Show and Stateline.
In the early 2000s, police launched a new investigation into the case – led by detective Naomi Martin – but the probe was hampered by the disappearance of the initial 1970s case files.
“(The detective) spoke to friends, took DNA, followed up all the leads – she did her best,” Mr Farrington said.
“But all the original paperwork – the names, dates, times – were lost. She had to start from scratch.”
In 2010, the State Government offered a $100,000 reward for any information leading to an arrest or conviction. The same year, a Coronial inquest handed down an open finding.
Hugh Dillon, the deputy state coroner at the time, said it was believed Tanya Farrington was deceased but did not have evidence to back up the findings or determine a cause of death.
Mr Farrington, who now lives in Canberra with his three children, continues to hope for answers, but there was part of him that “didn’t want to know.”
His parents, Irene and Anthony, sadly died without closure into their daughter’s disappearance.
“You don’t give up but it’s been 40 years now. In one way I don’t really want to know what happened,” he said.
“On the north shore 20-odd girls disappeared around the same time. Your mind plays. To actually find out what happen might be even worse.
“She wouldn’t have just left, I know that. She wouldn’t have done that to her family.”
Tanya Farrington is among 49 people featured in a new campaign aimed at unearthing information into unsolved cases of Australia’s missing children.
Police said most are found safe and well, but “the fear and heartbreak is immense for those whose children do not return home”.
Mr Farrington urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
COLD CASES
Fifteen other people last seen on Sydney’s north shore remain missing years after the cases were reported to police.
The disappearances stretch back to the 1960s, with the most recent case reported three years ago.
There are 2600 long-term missing people in Australia, with about 38,000 missing persons reports made to police a year.
The cases include:
Elaine Morgan
Turramurra residents Elaine Morgan dropped her daughter off at a dance academy in St Ives on April 17, 2007 and has not been seen since. Elaine worked as a law teacher and was aged 49 at the time of her disappearance. She would now be aged 62.
Luxing (Kevin) Li
Killara resident Luxing (Kevin) Li, has been missing since October 18, 2017 and family continue to hold concerns for his welfare. He was last seen leaving the Guide Dogs NSW office in Chatswood, where he worked as an accountant.
He is believed to have then travelled to the Central Coast and his car was later found at The Skillion in Terrigal. Luxing, who is described by family as a gentle and humorous person who loved animals, would now be aged 31.
Anna Maria Fiore
Anna was reported missing after leaving her family home at Riley St in North Sydney on February 24, 1984. Aged 19 at the time, she is believed to have been wearing a pink top and has not been seen since.
She would now be aged 56.
Stephen Lapthorne and Michelle Pope
North shore couple Stephen and Michelle were reported missing after travelling from Stephen’s West Pymble home in his Bedford van to Berowra on August 25, 1978.
Detectives initially suspected the couple was murdered and their bodies buried in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park, but they have also not ruled out death by misadventure. Stephen would now be aged 63 and Michelle 59. A $100,000 reward has been offered for any information into the disappearance.
Merry Faustd
Merry Faustd has not been seen since she attended a morning mass at the Lady of Dolour Church in Chatswood on February 17, 2008. Merry has not used her bank accounts, Medicare card or passports since her disappearance. She would now be aged 46.
Andrew Clement
Keen bushwalker Andrew Clement was reported missing by a colleague on May 23, 2017 after he failed to turn up for work. He was last seen at a Willoughby cafe two days before he went missing and his Holden Astra was later captured on CCTV boarding a ferry at Wiseman’s ferry. The car was found almost two weeks later at a camp site at Gunderman on the Hawkesbury River – close to many walking tracks. Andrew, who is a keen bushwalker and has a strong connection to his family, would now be aged 63.
Jennifer McDonald
Jennifer McDonald was last seen in Neutral Bay on September 12, 2012. She had some belongings packed in her car for a planned move.
Her car was later found in Vaucluse and she has not been seen since. Jennifer would now be aged 74.
George Palmer
St Ives resident George Palmer was last seen leaving his home March 17, 1988 and was intending to travel to Broken Hill. George, who has a serious medical condition, has not been seen or heard from since.
Colin Campbell
Lane Cove resident Colin Campbell was last seen leaving his home on May 29, 2015. It is believed he left on foot, having no access to a car or a mobile phone. Colin, who would now be 55, suffers from medical conditions and police say his disappearance is out of character.
Anita Schuch
Anita was last seen on December 14, 1965. Anita, aged 68 at the time, was due to be admitted to Royal North Shore Hospital the following day but had expressed concerns over the appointment. Police said it is possible she may have wandered into bushland though she has not been sighted or heard from since.
Ian McKenzie
Ian was last seen at his sister’s home in Lane Cove on February 1, 2000. He has not been seen or had contact with his family since. Ian would now be 53.
Bernard Gray
Bernard was last seen with his girlfriend in February, 1984 in North Sydney. He would now be aged 66.
Uyuri Maslakov
Uruyi was last seen in Lane Cove on October 22, 1985. He has not been seen or made contact with family or friends and there are grave concerns for his welfare. He would now be 73.
Joannes Schiff
North Sydney resident Joannes Schiff was aged 63 when he went missing in October 1964. Johannes suffered medical issues at the time and left all his possessions behind at his Alfred St home.