2025 marks 17 years since disappearance of Burnie mum Helen Munnings

Seventeen years have passed since Burnie mother Helen Munnings vanished, yet the truth of what police suspect was murder remains locked in silence. Where her case stands.

Helen Munnings. Picture: supplied

Today marks 17 years since Burnie mother Helen Munnings vanished without a trace, leaving behind her young son and family devastated by her disappearance.

On the day Helen Karel Munnings went missing on July 23, 2008, she had left her mother’s flat and walked the short distance into Burnie to meet up with her two-year-old son’s father, Adam Taylor.

That Wednesday at 4pm was the last time the 20-year-old, who had just announced her second pregnancy, was ever seen alive.

Helen Munnings was last seen on July 23, 2008, aged 20.

Despite sea, air and land searches and an extensive campaign for information on her whereabouts, that day remains a mystery.

In June 2012, then-Tasmanian Coroner Robert Pearce declared Ms Munnings to be deceased as of July 23, 2008, but did not make any findings into the cause of or circumstances around her death.

In the same year, Ms Munnings’ family led a memorial vigil in her honour.

No new leads or movements in Helen’s case were announced until 2023 – 15 years after her disappearance – when police announced a renewed call for information and a $500,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of a person or people involved in Helen’s death.

Missing Person, Helen Munnings, 20, of Burnie, Detective Inspector Adrian Shadbolt with a mannequin dressed in the same clothes as the missing Burnie woman was last seen wearing at South Burnie

A Tasmania Police spokesperson confirmed that this reward remains in place as police continue to suspect that Helen was murdered.

“The police investigation into the disappearance of Helen Munnings remains open and ongoing, and police continue to believe there are people in the community with information in relation to the circumstances around Helen’s death and the location of her remains,” the spokesperson said.

“17 years have passed since Helen disappeared, and with a $500,000 reward on offer, Tasmania Police strongly hopes that with the passing of time, personal circumstances may have changed that will enable someone to provide the information we require to bring closure for Helen’s family and loved ones.

“Tasmania Police implores anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward – it may be the piece we need to arrest and prosecute the person or people responsible for Helen’s suspected murder.”

Helen Munnings was last seen on July 23, 2008, aged 20.

Anyone with information is urged to contact police on 131 444 of Crime Stoppers Tasmania (information can be provided anonymously) at crimestopperstas.com.au or on 1800 333 000. Payment of the reward, or any portion thereof, shall be at the sole discretion of the Commissioner of Police.