Bronwyn podcast: ‘Maybe someone out there knows the truth about mum’

Bronwyn Winfield’s daughter Chrystal was 10 when her mother vanished 31 years ago. She has theories about what happened – and now hopes the mystery can finally be solved | Episode 4 out now.

Chrystal with her mother, Bronwyn Winfield, and Chrystal pictured in 2010 when a $100,000 reward was announced for information related to Bronwyn’s disappearance.

Hedley ThomasNational Chief Correspondent

less than 2 min read

5:30PMJune 06, 2024.

Updated 9:52AMJune 07, 2024

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Shortly before the release of this episode, Bronwyn Winfield’s daughter Chrystal assured friends and family of her hopes for a result from the podcast investigation into the disappearance of her mother.

Chrystal does not know what happened to her mother.

She likes to post photographs of her. More photos including some Chrystal has never seen are being sent in now by people who knew Bronwyn.

Some of the images include Chrystal from when she was a little girl.

Bronwyn Winfield and Chrystal blowing out a candle. Witnesses say Bronwyn was a devoted mother who would not have deliberately abandoned her two daughters.

Bronwyn and Chrystal by the sea. After Bronwyn went missing, Chrystal was raised by her stepfather, Jon Winfield, in Lennox Head on the NSW far north coast.

I doubt Chrystal will talk on the record in this podcast and I haven’t asked her to be a participant.

It’s well understood on Bronwyn’s side of the family that Chrystal doesn’t want to upset her sister, Lauren, or her step-father, Jon Winfield.

Lauren was five when her mum went missing. She hasn’t had contact with her mum’s side of the family for three decades.

But Chrystal is close to the Read relations.

In Chrystal’s recent message to her friends and family, via Facebook, she posted some happy photographs of herself.

Chrystal Winfield pictured in 2010 when a $100,000 reward was offered to help police solve the disappearance and suspected murder of her mother, Bronwyn Winfield.

“I just want to thank everyone that has reached out to me this week to see how I’m doing in conjunction with the recent Hedley Thomas podcast release of my mother’s disappearance,” she wrote.

“It has not been easy all these years. I chose not to be involved in it for various reasons however I do have a few theories on her disappearance based on my own life experiences – and maybe someone out there knows the truth.

Chrystal celebrating her first birthday with her mum, Bronwyn Winfield, who has been missing for 31 years.

“Maybe we can finally solve this mystery and put it all behind us. Anyways, it’s been so nice to reconnect with so many of you.”

This is an edited extract of episode four of the Bronwyn podcast. Do you know something about this case? Contact Hedley Thomas confidentially at [e-mail]

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