Maureen Braddy, Allan Whyte disappearance from Bendigo: $1 million reward offered
THE sister of a Bendigo girl missing for nearly 50 years says a $1 million reward for information about her disappearance is fantastic news.
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THE sister of a Bendigo girl missing for nearly 50 years say a $1 million reward for information about her disappearance is fantastic news.
The $1 million reward will announced today for information relating to the disappearance of Maureen Braddy, 16 and her friend Allan Whyte, 17.
They were last seen leaving a YMCA dance in Mundy Street, California Gully in Bendigo on Saturday 23 November 1968.
Despite an extensive investigation by local detectives and Missing Persons Squad detectives over the past 49 years, the teenagers have never been found.
A 2014 Coronial inquest ruled the pair met with foul play and it was likely they died the night of the dance.
Maureen’s sister Lynette told the Herald Sun today the development was terrific news.
“It’s fantastic news, about time,” she said.
“Hopefully it will be a change and someone actually steps up and says ‘this is what happened’.”
Ms Ireland has long believed her sister and Allan were killed the night of the dance and buried on the family property.
For more than a decade police have suspected Stanley Braddy, Maureen and Ms Ireland’s father, of the murders.
He was questioned about his involvement in a Coronial inquest.
But because of an inadequate initial police investigation — a concession that has been made on behalf of the Chief Commissioner — current investigators have little or no evidence to work with.
Mrs Ireland, and a string of her siblings, believe Maureen’s murder was sparked after she confided to a relative that she was pregnant.
The family believe after being shot Maureen’s body was later buried in a well at their Bendigo home, while Allan’s may have been in one of the many abandoned mine shafts in the area.
Police have never searched the well, and because of an extension of the former Braddy home it is now covered by a room.
But current owner Garry Donnelly told the Herald Sun he would be open to police inspecting the well if it was recommended by the coroner.
Ms Ireland, who was eight when her sister vanished, told her inquest on the night Maureen and Allan disappeared she saw her dad and another man carrying a young person “covered with blood’’ through the front garden.
She said it was an image that had haunted her since then.
The mystery has divided the Braddy family, with some siblings standing by their dad.
In a record of interview with police, Mr Braddy said the teens were abducted and kept as slaves in a government conspiracy, and that he stayed in touch with Maureen until her recent death
Missing Persons Squad detectives will today announce the reward for information and say they believe someone within the community of Bendigo holds the key to solving this investigation.
“This disappearance has been extremely devastating to both families who have never given up hope,” Detective Inspector Stephen Dennis said.
“We are hoping that today’s announcement will encourage someone out there with crucial information or direct knowledge of this disappearance to come forward.”
The reward of up to $1 million will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner, for information which leads to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of those responsible for the abduction and murder.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au