Family friend pleads for mystery man to come forward with information about the disappearance of Nancy Grunwaldt

A Tasmanian woman has pleaded for a man to come forward and “tell the truth” about the disappearance of German tourist Nancy Grunwaldt 28 years ago.

A TASMANIAN woman has pleaded for a man to come forward and “tell the truth” about the disappearance of German tourist Nancy Grunwaldt 28 years ago.

Heather Donaldson, of Westbury, who fundraised to bring Ms Grunwaldt’s family to Tasmania, renewed calls for the man to be granted an indemnity from criminal prosecution.

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Neither Ms Grunwaldt, who was 26 when she disappeared in April 1993 near Scamander on the East Coast, nor her bike have been found.

“That day, weeks before anyone knew she was missing, a very distressed male rang a Hobart solicitor begging for help because he (said he) had accidentally killed a girl cyclist on the road and rolled her body down an embankment,” Ms Donaldson said.

“The solicitor, apparently after investigating that no accidents had been reported, eventually deleted the message.

“Years later, a very distressed male rang in to a Brisbane (radio or tv) program and again confessed to accidentally killing Nancy.”

Nancy Grunwaldt disappeared in April 1993 near Scamander on the East Coast. Picture Supplied

Ms Donaldson said she was sure the man would feel better if he came forward.

“He has suffered in agony all these years too,” she said.

“Whatever the circumstances, I appeal to this man to come forward and tell the truth now, for his own peace of mind and for the Grunwaldt family.

“Please. It’s not too late.”

Ms Donaldson has become friends with Nancy’s family since she disappeared and sadly her father had died without knowing what happened to his daughter.

“I met Nancy’s parents after she disappeared, when they came, heartbroken, to Tassie in search of her,” she said.

“Over the years they have come back to Tasmania, initially yearly then every two years, with their other daughter, Frauke, hoping for answers.

“They are warm, humble and gentle people. In all these years they have never stopped looking for her.

“Bernd, Nancy’s father, died without knowing what happened to his beloved daughter.”

Ms Donaldson said Nancy’s mother Helga and sister deserved “some closure”.

“Nancy has been missing now for longer than she was alive.

“Someone knows what happened to Nancy. Someone could give peace to this grieving family.”

Ms Grunwaldt’s disappearance is one of seven cases being highlighted in Tasmania this week as part of Missing Persons Week.