The Missing podcast: New suspects ignite Gordana Kotevski case

She was abducted just metres from her aunt’s home and never seen again – now two new suspects have emerged after a series of shocking texts to her family. See the texts and listen to the podcast.

Two suspects “capable of despicable acts” have been linked to the abduction of a teenager who vanished less than 42 steps from her aunt’s home.

The disappearance of Gordana Kotevski is one of Australia’s most-enduring missing persons cases, with a $1 million reward on offer unable to shed light on the cold case.

But it can now be revealed a witness has come forward to Gordana’s sister naming two men she believes were involved in the 16-year-old’s abduction.

The shock development is revealed in the third episode of the new true crime podcast The Missing, where former police officer-turned-investigative reporter Meni Caroutas pieces together Gordana’s disappearance.

Gordana Kotevski was 16 when she abducted from near her aunt's home in Powell St. Charlestown, Newcastle on 24 November 1994.

Gordana was walking towards her aunt’s home in the Newcastle suburb of Charlestown, at about 8.45pm on November 24, 1994, when she was ambushed – possibly by more than one person.

Witnesses – including Gordana’s own aunty – reported hearing a scream and then the sound of two doors slamming – before a vehicle, believed to be a white Toyota HiLux – sped away.

Gordana’s wallet, handbag and shopping were found strewn on the side of the road – an agonising 42 steps away from the safety of her aunt’s home.

One of the bags had drag marks on it, suggesting the teenager strongly resisted as she was pulled towards the vehicle.

The Missing details the new leads that have electrified the 29-year-old cold case.

Gordana’s older sister, Carolina Kotevski was sent intriguing text messages earlier this year about her sister’s possible abductors, including what they allegedly had said about Gordana.

The witness claims they accepted a lift from two men after Gordana disappeared and they made a “frightening” reference to her.

The two men suspected of taking Gordana lived locally, something the original investigators suspected of the abductors.

The witness not only names the two men in messages, but describes where they lived and their former workplaces.

“[Name deleted] owned the white HiLux around the time of Gordana’s disappearance,” read one message.

“[Name deleted] and [name deleted] worked together … They are both capable of despicable acts. I fear my family will be put in danger.”

The witness claims they made an anonymous tip to Crimestoppers, but were too scared to speak with police directly.

LISTEN TO THE MISSING PODCAST BELOW:

They even sent a picture of one of the men that shows a strong resemblance to a sketch of a man investigators wanted to speak with.

Ms Kotevski is convinced the person with the tip is genuine.

“Because they wouldn’t have known I already knew some of the things that they were talking about, because we had those thoughts prior,” she said.

Another message said: “Please understand though, this guy has gotten away with horrific crimes he’s committed in the past. If he’s identified as the person of interest I will tell you

everything else I know and why I believe him to be responsible.”

Gordana’s mum Peggy Kotevski is in no doubt that someone, somewhere knows who took her daughter and they are being protected.

“I think now that 30 years later whoever has done it, I think they’re very well protected by people around then, or by someone higher up,” she said.

EX-COP’S THEORY ON WHAT HAPPENED TO GORDANA

She doesn’t think the people who abducted her daughter are worthy of being called “men”.

“I don’t think he’s a human being, I think they’re...animals, and I think they should be severely punished,” she said.

“Some days I feel like if I knew who they were I could cut them up to pieces, piece by piece”.

Peggy Kotevski with her daughter Carolina Kotevski . Peggy's daughter Gordana Kotevski went missing in Newcastle in 1994. Picture Ryan Osland

Gordana was never seen again after the abduction. Picture: Sue Graham

There was nothing she wouldn’t do to find out what happened to Gordana.

“Till my last breath you just can’t stop,” Mrs Kotevski said.

In the past she has vowed she would kill whoever took her daughter if she got the chance.

Police outside the Powell St. Charlestown, Newcastle, after Gordana’s abduction. Picture: Steve Tickner.

“I have said I would, but physically at the moment I can’t do it because I’ve got arthritis in my trigger point finger,” she said.

“If I could I would, if I know who it is I would, and if this country punishes me for it well then I feel sad for the whole population. But I would kill.”

The Kotevski’s marriage didn’t survive the trauma of the abduction and loss of their daughter.

“I never ever blamed my ex husband, because how would you know? How can anyone predict the future really? You can’t put blame on anything. Sometimes I’ll blame myself occasionally... what else could I have done?”

NSW Police have confirmed they are treating Gordana’s case as an active investigation and in 2022 increased the reward for information into Gordana’s disappearance from $100,000 to $1 million.

Do you know more? Call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as The Missing podcast: New suspects ignite Gordana Kotevski case