Huge twist after woman vanished 11 years ago

There has been a “significant breakthrough” in a cold case in which a young mum of two vanished after being seen at a pub more than a decade ago.

There has been a “significant breakthrough” in a cold case in which a young mum of two vanished after being seen at a country pub more than a decade ago.

Allison Bernard, from Kowanyama in remote far north Queensland, was last seen at Archer River Quarry, 700km north of Cairns, on February 10, 2013 at around 11pm.

She was seen earlier that day at the nearby Exchange Hotel in Coen. Police believe she was travelling to her home in Kowanyama, but she never arrived.

Now, in a major development police have charged a man as authorities continue the search for her body.

The man arrested on Tuesday was 62-year-old Coen resident Thomas Byrnes who was seen at Exchange Hotel on the day of Ms Bernard’s disappearance.

Allison Bernard went missing from Coen in Far North Queensland.

She was captured on CCTV drinking with Archer River quarry caretaker Thomas Byrne on the evening she disappeared. Picture: supplied.

The family of Ms Bernard released a statement through their lawyer Debbie Kilroy that criticised police for their initial handling of the investigation and said officers relayed a message that Ms Bernard had run off in the middle of the night.

“Our women do not go missing and they don’t run off into the dark for no reason,” the statement said.

“This has been a long sad journey for us as a family.

“After nearly 11 years the police have finally charged the man who last saw our granddaughter, daughter, mother, sister, niece, aunty and cousin alive.”

CCTV footage from the Exchange Hotel.

62 year old Cohen man Thomas Byrne arrives at the Cairns Watchhouse. Picture: Brendan Radke

The family of Ms Bernard released a statement through their lawyer Debbie Kilroy which criticised police for their initial handling of the investigation and said officers relayed a message that Ms Bernard had run off in the middle of the night.

“Our women do not go missing and they don’t run off into the dark for no reason,” the statement said.

“This has been a long sad journey for us as a family.

“After nearly 11 years the police have finally charged the man who last saw our granddaughter, daughter, mother, sister, niece, aunty and cousin alive.

“We are grieving and we want her returned home.” the family’s statement read.

Regional Crime Coordinator Detective Acting Superintendent Mick Searle said there were “well-documented challenges and shortcomings” through the initial investigation.

He told reporters in Cairns on Wednesday police were looking with a “thorough lens over everything” as the investigations continue.

“If that means it takes time we will continue to be thorough with it,” he said.

“The fact that Miss Bernard is an Indigenous woman has no impact on that.”

He said that at the time of the disappearance, a large-scale search of the area was done. Police on foot, quad bikes and vehicles along with helicopters, SES and defence forces and the police dive squad couldn’t find any sign of Ms Bernard in the following months.

Alison Bernard's mother and uncle Edwina Bernard and Teddy Bernard, pictured with a photo of Alison (left) with her grandmother and sister. The pair were in the Cairns Coroner's Court on the first day of the coronial inquest into Alison Bernard's disappearance. Picture: Brendan Radke

Superintendent Searle said new drone and camera technology, excavation of several areas in the past 12 months and evidence produced by the coronial inquest have helped the investigation. However, no body has been found.

“Whilst this matter is now before the courts the investigation will not stop.” he said.

“We have not located Ms Bernard and are still urging anyone with information to contact police or crime stoppers.

“Her family members deserve the respect of having the questions that surround her disappearance answered,” Superintendent Searle said.

In a statement, Ms Bernard’s family said they still “grieve for her to come home”.

The charge is the first development in the cold-case since a $50,000 reward was announced last year. There has also been a coronial inquest opened.

The man was charged with one count of murder and appeared via video link in the Cairns Magistrates Court on Wednesday.