Photo that could solve disappearance of Maureen Braddy and Allan Whyte in Bendigo

The baffling case of two Victorian teenagers who mysteriously vanished without a trace could be solved through a photograph.

Police are investigating whether two Victorian teenagers who mysteriously went missing after a YMCA dance in Bendigo in 1968 ran away together.

It comes as a photo more than 50 years old was released on Thursday in the hope it would solve the disappearance of Maureen Braddy, then aged 16, and Allan Whyte, 17.

Missing persons squad detectives reinvestigating the case went public with a photo, which looks very similar to the pair, in the hope of cracking the case.

They were last seen leaving a YMCA dance in Bendigo, northwest of Melbourne, on November 23, 1968.

Both were expected to return to their respective homes that Saturday night but were never seen again.

Missing Persons SquadDetective Acting Inspector Tony Combridge said the photo had been scientifically examined to determine the identities of those pictured, but the results came back inconclusive.

“They were a couple but only recently acquainted with one another (at the time),” he told reporters.

“There is no conclusive evidence as to what actually happened to Allan and Maureen but this (running away) is certainly a line of inquiry that needs to be explored.”

In 2019, after seeing reports in the media, a member of the public came forward with the photo of a man and woman, believing the picture held some relevance to the investigation.

Police have been told the photo was taken at a boarding house in Aberdeen Street, Geelong, in 1968 and depicts two young people who fit the description of the missing teens.

Allan Whyte went missing with Maureen Braddy at Bendigo in 1968.

Maureen Braddy went missing after a dance in 1968.

Writing on the back of the photo are the words: “Neil and Kaye. Kaye is asleep on her feet, Neil is supporting her with his elbow.”

Detective Acting Inspector Combridge said the pair told the photographer at the time they were from the Swan Hill area in northwest Victoria.

Both Allan and Maureen would currently be in their late 60s.

A photograph taken at a boarding house in Aberdeen Street, Geelong in 1968 that depicts two young people who fit the description of missing Bendigo teenagers Maureen Braddy and Allan Whyte. Picture: Supplied Victoria Police

He said police would like to speak with anyone who was at the Geelong boarding house at that time in the hope that they could provide information about Neil and Kaye.

“This case is quite significant in the amount of time that has passed since Allan and Maureen were last seen,” Detective Acting Inspector Combridge said.

“It’s a strong indication we don’t give up – if new information is brought to us we will investigate it to try and get answers.”

Maureen and Allan became friends in 1968 after working together at the Crystal Egg Company in Bendigo.

Maureen was reported missing by her sister on November 24, 1968, and Allan was formally reported missing by his mother on October 9, 1969, about 11 months later.

In the years after they vanished from the dance at Mundy Street, California Gully, some who knew them and local police thought the pair was in a relationship and had deliberately run away from home.

Written on the back of the photo was ‘Neil and Kaye. Kaye is asleep on her feet, Neil is supporting her with his elbow.’ Picture: Supplied Victoria Police

A coronial inquest in 2012 and 2013 was told it wasn’t until the late 1990s that an “adequate investigation” of their disappearance was launched, and investigators formed the opinion they had “most likely died of foul play”.

The inquest named Maureen’s father Stanley Braddy, who is still alive, as the main suspect in their disappearance, but he has maintained his innocence and says his daughter is still alive.

The coroner found that there was not enough evidence to find that Mr Braddy was responsible for the deaths and no charges were recommended.

The teenagers’ remains have never been found.

A $1m reward has been offered for information relating to the disappearance of the teenagers.

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

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