One ‘tip-off’ could solve haunting case of missing woman Sarah MacDiarmid

More than 30 years after Sarah MacDiarmid vanished from Kananook station her parents are still hoping for answers to the baffling mystery.

Peter and Sheila MacDiarmid's daughter, Sarah, disappeared from Kananook railway station in 1990. Picture: Jay Town

Police and the family of Sarah MacDiarmid have not given up on solving one of Melbourne’s most haunting crime mysteries.

Peter and Sheila MacDiarmid say discovering the truth of what happened and holding a proper farewell for their daughter would be “incredible”.

It is 31 years since Ms MacDiarmid disappeared from Kananook railway station and, in National Missing Persons Week, her family still maintains hope of one day getting answers that have eluded them for decades.

Peter MacDiarmid said pain would come with the truth but it was better than the alternative.

“Sheila and I wouldn’t be wondering all the time about what happened,” he said.

“It would only be common humanity to tell us.”

Sarah MacDiarmid vanished from Kananook railway station in 1990.

Ms MacDiarmid vanished from Kananook on the night of July 11, 1990 after travelling from her job in the city.

Her father said there would be someone still alive who since that night had hung on to the knowledge of what happened and that they should come forward.

“All it would take is an accurate, anonymous tip-off. That would make a lot of difference to us,” Mr MacDiarmid said.

“She’s always your child. When we think of Sarah, we still think of her as 23.”

Many scenarios have been explored by police over the years since her red Honda was found at the station in Melbourne’s south.

The leading theory is that violent prostitute Jodie Jones, who later died of a drug overdose, attacked Ms MacDiarmid with three others.

The spot where Sarah went missing. Picture: Jill Mitchell

They then disposed of the 23-year-old’s body.

Serial killer Paul Charles Denyer was also investigated but detectives believe it is unlikely he is the killer.

Bandali Debs, another multiple murderer, has also come under scrutiny but is not believed to be responsible.

Detective Insp Andrew Stamper of the missing persons squad said a $1 million reward remained in place and investigators were committed to exploring any new information that surfaced.

Insp Stamper said there were people in the community who could give the MacDiarmid family answers.

“I know every investigator who has worked on this case over the years still feels a deep sense of responsibility to try and find answers for Sarah’s family, particularly her parents Peter and Sheila,” he said.

“This is still an active investigation and we will continue to follow up on any new avenues of inquiry.”

Insp Stamper said the case would be front of mind for those who knew Ms MacDiarmid in National Missing Persons Week.

“Thousands of people go missing each year for a variety of reasons and the overwhelming majority of those people are located safe and well,” Insp Stamper said.

“Other cases, like Sarah’s, prove a bit harder for us to find answers on but we haven’t stopped trying.”

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au