Roxlyn Bowie disappearance: Cops search dam for missing mother

Police have begun forensically excavating a dam in northern NSW in hopes of finding the remains of a woman who disappeared 36 years ago.

Roxlyn Bowie disappeared from her home in northern New South Wales in 1982.

Police have begun forensically excavating a dam in northern NSW in hopes of finding the remains of a woman who disappeared 36 years ago.

Roxlyn Bowie was last seen at her home in Walgett at around 6pm on June 5 1982. She left behind her husband and her two children Brenda and Warren, then aged six and one. Her body has never been found.

A renewed investigation into her disappearance and suspected murder is being led by the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad under Strike Force Maluka.

NSW Police announced a $1 million reward for information over the death of the young mother around three weeks ago.

Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty said the case was being reopened due to new information from the public and technological advancements.

“Like most unsolved homicides they can lay dormant for quite some time these cases, but then you re energise with fresh investigators.” he said.

“It leads to a domino effect with the information from the public … once that information does come to light it gives us focus for investigative strategies.”

Detectives conduct a forensic search in Walgett. Picture: NSW Police

Detectives began forensically excavating a dam on Wee Waa Street and a former industrial site on Monday. Both are located close to Mrs Bowie’s former home.

A coronial inquest completed in September 2014 found Mrs Bowie had died but the cause of death was undetermined.

A renewed investigation into her disappearance and suspected murder is being led by the State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad under Strike Force Maluka.

A coronial inquiry in 2014 found its was “highly likely” Mrs Bowie had met with foul play.

Coroner Mary Jerram said letters purportedly left behind by Mrs Bowie stating her intent to leave were a “puzzle” and how the “timid woman” managed to disappear with “no money and no access to a car” was “beyond comprehension.”

She further said there was difficulty accepting the evidence of her husband John Bowie, who was open about his extramarital affairs. Mr Bowie was convicted of forging Ms Bowie’s signature on a land transfer document in 1984. He has denied having any involvement in his wife’s disappearance.

Det Sup Daniel Doherty said while Mrs Bowie’s daughter Brenda wanted justice, the renewed efforts into finding her mother would likely inspire mixed emotions.

“It must be mixed emotions for her and her family because while she wants justice … if we did find the remains of Roxy it would be again make the grief very raw.

Det Sup Daniel Doherty said the excavations are expected to take at least three weeks and will involve specialist investigators, forensic investigators and experts as well as regional police.

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