Juanita Nielen cold case: $1 million reward announced

Police have announced a new development in the suspected murder of activist Juanita Nielsen 45 years after she vanished from a club linked to notorious crime figure Abe Saffron.

More than 45 years after heritage activist Juanita Nielsen disappeared from a Kings Cross club linked to the “Mr Big” of Australian crime, NSW Police have announced a $1 million reward for information.

The cold case is one of the state’s most chilling unsolved suspected murder cases, with Nielsen’s final moments baffling police for decades.

In a final bid to crack the cold case, detectives have announced a $1 million reward for information into her 1975 disappearance.

The 38-year-old was last seen at the Carousel Cabaret on Rosyln Street at Kings Cross, on the morning of July 4 and was later reported missing. Her handbag was found on the side of a Blue Mountains highway days later and her body was never found.

A $1 million reward has been announced

for information into Juanita Nielsen’s disappearance. Photo: Supplied

Nielsen’s cousin Francis Foy and his wife Margaret spoke on Monday of their frustration in not being able to have a proper burial, as well as of Juanita’s sense of style, passion for journalism and standing up for what she believed in.

“She spoke well and intelligently. She was very fashion conscious and always dressed well. But what her family is most proud of is her standing up for other people’s rights,” Mrs Foy said.

“There are many examples throughout her life of her standing up for the rights of others.”

Nielsen was last seen at the club meeting with lounge manager Eddie Trigg and his partner to discuss advertising in her community newspaper Now.

Trigg and a co-worker Shayne Martin-Simmons were later convicted of conspiring to kidnap Nielsen, but not of the murder.

Trigg had reportedly told his ex-partner Marilyn King he had been given a contract by Jim Anderson - a prominent underworld figure - to follow Nielsen’s movements.

She also told police she had seen Trigg with blood on his fists and shirt and he had told her “what you don’t know won’t hurt you” when she asked what happened.

Anderson, who died in 2003, was an associate of notorious underworld figure Abe Saffron, the owner of the Carousel Cabaret, who was also known as the “Mr Big” of Australian crime.

Juanita and her father Neil Smith. Photo: Supplied

In a 1983 inquest into her death, Saffron pointed to Anderson, however, he was never convicted of anything and died two decades later.

Since Ms Nielsen’s disappearance, NSW Police Force investigators have conducted extensive inquiries in an effort to locate her remains.

Despite these efforts, her body has never been found. A 1983 inquest found Ms Nielsen was killed, however, it was not concluded by whom.

A $1 million NSW Government reward will be announced as part of a renewed appeal to the community to come forward with any information that may assist detectives with their inquiries.

Underworld figure Abe Saffron, who owned the nightclub where Juanita Nielsen disappeared.

Nielsen was the great-granddaughter of Mark Foy, a prominent retailer behind the iconic department store on the corner of Liverpool and Elizabeth streets which is now the Downing Centre.

She was a well-known figure in the Potts Point community where she lived, recognised by her trademark beehive and work as an activist.

Nielsen’s community newspaper advocated for the protection of heritage buildings against developers, making her the enemy of local apartment developer Frank Theeman. He is not convicted of any wrongdoing.

Anyone with information relating to the case is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.