By Riley Walter
Nine days before her 19th birthday, Rose Howell sat at a computer in the Bellingen Library making invitations for her party.
By all accounts, Howell was excited about the get-together in a week and a half.
Rose Howell was last seen on April 11, 2003 near Coffs Harbour on the NSW Mid North Coast.Credit: NSW Police
About dusk, she left the library, and waited in the rain near a busy highway waiting to hitch a ride home to Bundagen, about 20 kilometres south of Coffs Harbour.
Between 5pm and 5.30pm on April 11, 2003, Howell was seen standing near the intersection of Waterfall Way and Prince Street. Locals knew the location as a popular place to wait for a lift.
About an hour later, Howell was seen walking east on Perrys Road at Repton at 6.15pm. It was the last time she was seen alive.
Despite subsequent reported sightings, a coronial inquest in 2012 and 2013 found Howell had likely died that night. However, a finding on how she died was not delivered, leaving her loved ones without answers for more than 20 years.
NSW Police detectives in June searched a Repton home in relation to the 2003 disappearance of the 18-year-old.Credit: NSW Police
Her mother Malila Howell told the inquest she hoped her daughter was well and living under a new identity, but thought it was unlikely. Rose’s father died without knowing what had become of his daughter.
Last year NSW Police announced a $750,000 reward for information about Howell’s disappearance, and launched a re-investigation into the cold case dubbed Strike Force Chelonia.
Howell was last seen alive nine days before her 19th birthday.Credit: NSW Police
The operation has led to significant developments in the case, with police revealing a crime scene search warrant had been executed on June 4 at a Repton property near where Howell was last seen.
Ground penetrating radar technology and NSW Police’s dog and mounted units were used to search two external areas at the property.
On July 8, a Ford Falcon believed to be connected to Howell’s disappearance was seized and forensically examined.
Homicide squad commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, said police believed there were people who had information about Howell’s disappearance.
“Our detectives haven’t – and won’t – give up on finding answers for Rose’s loved ones,” Doherty said.
“Her family deserve answers, having dealt with the uncertainty of what happened over two decades ago.
A Ford Falcon believed to be connected to Howell’s disappearance was forensically examined in July.Credit: NSW Police
Police urged anyone with information about Howell’s disappearance to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online as Strike Force Chelonia investigations continue.
“The public are reminded that there is no piece of information too small for investigators. Your tip could be the missing piece of the puzzle in this investigation,” Doherty said.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.