Revelle Balmain: Fresh inquest into disappearance of Sydney model and escort who went missing in 1994

A fresh five-day inquest into the disappearance of Sydney model and escort Revelle Balmain has started nearly three decades on from when she went missing.

Revelle Balmain has been missing since 1994 and is believed to have been murdered.

New DNA evidence has been uncovered in the investigation into the disappearance of Sydney woman Revelle Balmain, a court has been told.

The disappearance and suspected death of 22 year-old Ms Balmain, an escort who went missing in Kingsford on November 5, 1994, is the subject of a new inquest heard at the NSW Coroner’s Court in Lidcombe on Monday.

An initial inquest in 1999 found Ms Balmain had been killed by an unknown “person or persons” and investigation into her disappearance had continued until Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell picked it up a few years back, following a formal review.

Mr Bell was questioned by senior counsel assisting Matthew Johnston SC on Monday about the new investigation, with Mr Bell telling the court “new DNA profiles” had been discovered after evidence was examined using updated technology.

The court heard that more than 100 witnesses had been interviewed since Mr Bell took over the investigation, that police were exploring “12 lines of inquiry” and had increased the reward for information into her disappearance to $1 million.

There is a $1 million reward for information about Revelle Balmain’s disappearance.

The court heard Ms Balmain had attended a job as an escort just before she disappeared and had agreed to extend her stay at Gavin Samer’s home in exchange for a payment which she herself would pocket.

Mr Samer, who has always maintained he had no involvement in Ms Balmain’s death, was once a main person of interest years after her disappearance, but a previous inquest found he had no clear motive to kill her.

He has also never been charged, and there is no suggestion police still consider him a suspect.

Mr Johnston highlighted how Mr Bell had sought to identify Ms Balmain’s “minute by minute” movements on the night she went missing.

Through his investigation, Mr Bell said “various items” of Ms Balmain were believed to have been scattered across a “few streets” near Mr Samer’s home.

The court heard one of Mr Bell’s theories was “the person or persons responsible … had to know she was at Gavin Samer’s residence” and that was believed to have been only four people.

Mr Samer gave evidence over video link on Monday afternoon where on multiple occasions he said he participated in police interviews “under duress” and with no legal representation.

Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Bell gave evidence on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The court heard he originally made an appointment with Ms Balmain for two hours for “three or fourish hundred dollars” with the payment made in part by cheque and cash.

Mr Samer explained that during Ms Balmain’s time at his home she had received multiple messages to her pager but he couldn’t recall “how many times”. Despite being questioned by Mr Johnston about what Ms Balmain told him during their appointment, he maintained she said she had “another job … after she finished with me”.

The court heard Mr Samer last saw Ms Balmain after dropping her off roughly about 7pm.

The inquest will continue on Tuesday.