Port Lincoln woman Susan Goodwin funeral service comes 23 years after she vanished
Susan Goodwin has been laid to rest 23 years after vanishing from Port Lincoln, with mourners hearing an emotional poem from her heartbroken partner.
Mourners wiped away tears as an emotional poem written by Susan “Suzy” Goodwin’s partner was read out while she was finally laid to rest in Port Lincoln, 23 years after her disappearance.
Michele Peterson’s poem for her “lifelong” partner Suzy was delivered during a small but moving service at Serenity Chapel on Friday, beginning with the words: “For 23 years you were away, our hearts still hoping night and day … today the long lost road is done, your final journey has begun.”
The Port Lincoln woman was 39 when she disappeared on July 19, 2002.
Last seen after a routine shopping trip, her car was later found in the driveway of her Moonta Crescent home with groceries inside and fresh meat laid out for dinner, but no sign of Suzy, who had also failed to collect her partner, Michele, from work that afternoon.
Her disappearance would go on to haunt Port Lincoln for the next 23 years before a breakthrough finally came on September 17, 2025, when police unearthed her remains in the backyard of a Pamir Court property.
A 64-year-old man, John Mislov, has been charged with her murder and remains in custody.
But inside the chapel, the focus shifted to the woman beyond the headlines.
Friends and family remembered Suzy as “fiercely independent”, “adventurous” and someone who connected effortlessly with everyone she met.
She loved the outdoors, the coastline and the simple joy of being by the water.
Pink Floyd’s ‘Wish You Were Here’ played as photos of a youthful looking Suzy were shown. Many of them with her beaming at the camera, sitting on the beach, holding up a fish or with her arm around a loved one.
A tribute read out by her friend Shane told of the years Suzy and Michele spent travelling together, exploring large stretches of Australia before finally settling in Port Lincoln, where they built a quiet, happy life by the sea they adored.
The service also recalled the tragic crash that killed her siblings Maree, Heather and Gary, and the sorrow of their parents Margaret and Don, who died without answers about their missing daughter.
Her younger sister Cheryl is the only one left, and at the funeral there was an empty pallbearer spot honouring family no longer here.
After the service, the cortege travelled along the town’s foreshore — a final drive past the sea Suzy loved — before continuing on to North Shields Garden Cemetery, where she was finally laid to rest.
When a notice of her funeral was posted online, messages poured in from friends, family and locals who say Suzy’s case has stayed with them for years.
“Finally some closure. RIP Suzy,” wrote Di Dennis.
“Always in my thoughts Suzy. Finally you can be at rest. Condolences to Michel and Chick, your younger sister, and your parents who have passed since your disappearance. RIP Suzie G, finally. You will be at rest near Port Lincoln, where you loved and enjoyed fishing and life so much,” wrote Bernie O’Halloran.
“I never thought this day would come. Sending my love and condolences to Michel and the families. Time to finally rest peacefully Suzy,” wrote Sonya Dawson.
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Originally published as Port Lincoln woman Susan Goodwin funeral service comes 23 years after she vanished
