Disappearance and death of Cairns teen Angela Mealing haunts former cop John Harris
A RETIRED detective who lead the investigation into the disappearance of a Cairns student 15 years ago says one of his biggest regrets is not solving the case to bring closure for her family.
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A RETIRED detective who led the investigation into the disappearance of a Cairns student 15 years ago says one of his biggest regrets is not solving the case to bring closure for her family.
Angela Mealing was 17 when she vanished on April 2, 2000, after accepting a lift from Cairns to Gordonvale from off-duty police officer Adrian Deemal.
Her body was found in Behana Creek, 30km south of Cairns, more than a month later, but a coronial inquiry failed to determine the cause of her death.
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Deemal spent a year in jail after being found guilty of perjury in 2008 for lying about his movements that night, but no other charges have ever been laid.
Former Det Insp John Harris is now the local Crime Stoppers representative and said it would never be too late for someone to come forward and help solve the case.
“I still believe someone in the community has information that could enable police to progress this unsolved murder and I would ask that they contact Crime Stoppers,” he said.
“Every person in the community has a moral obligation to assist the police if they have crucial information that may solve any murder, especially of an innocent teenager.”
Angela’s mother Jacqueline Shadforth staged a public campaign and fought for justice for
years until her death in 2008.
A reward of $250,000 still remains in place for information.
It became one of the state’s most baffling mysteries and part of a book Under a Dark Moon, written by author Robert Reid, who detailed a number of strange deaths in the Far North.
A noose was found hanging in a tree near Ms Mealing’s remains and a note had been carved in a tree saying: “I’m sorry mum be strong not your fault”.
Her family refused to believe she committed suicide and police initially suggested the scene could have been staged.
Ms Mealing had been assaulted by three girls at a party and later by a male youth the night she vanished and had been walking towards her home when Deemal picked her up.
Angela’s brother Arron was just 18 at the time and said so much about his sister’s death still haunts him.
“Just not having closure, especially considering with the passing of mum, she fought until the day she died,” he said.
“Even after all these years if we got some information, maybe with all the new technology it might help.”
He joined the navy soon after where he met now-wife Kelly and the couple have a 15-month-old son Kye.
Kelly said the family support network has been vital.
“I’ve seen Arron go from probably the worst point (in 2008) to now, which is such a good thing,” she said.
Originally published as Disappearance and death of Cairns teen Angela Mealing haunts former cop John Harris
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