Status: Missing believed Murdered
Reward: $100000
Last Seen: 715 PM Sunday August 18th 2002
Occupation: Disability Worker
Age:37
Gender: Female
Year of birth: 1965
Height: 175cm
Build: Medium
Eyes: green
Hair: short fair. Complexion: Fair
Circumstances: Kath was last seen wearing three-quarter length, red Adidas gym pants with white stripes, a white Tommy Girl t-shirt with a red and blue logo and a red-colored, hooded windcheater-type jacket.
Wangaratta resident Kath Bergamin, 37, went missing from her home in Brien Crescent on August 18 2002. She has not contacted friends or relatives, including her three children. She has not taken any personal items and her bank accounts have not been accessed. Police said the case is now being treated as a murder inquiry.
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7 years on and still no answers
DI THOMAS 19 Aug, 2009 12:00 AM
THE family of Kath Bergamin marked yesterday’s seventh anniversary of her disappearance with a renewed plea for information about the Wangaratta woman’s fate.
Sister-in-law Maria Russell spoke yesterday from Melbourne where she and her husband, Roger, Mrs Bergamin’s brother, moved a year ago after several years living in Victoria’s Western District.
“We have heard nothing since the inquest finding a year ago and that was pretty comprehensive,” Mrs Russell said.
“Aside from bringing those responsible to justice, we still haven’t got closure.
“That is definitely important for Roger and his mother, Margaret.
“They have been getting on with their lives but it doesn’t go away, it doesn’t get any easier.
“If anything it becomes deeper.”
In June last year coroner Peter White found Mrs Bergamin had been the victim of foul play with her remains secretly dumped.
But he could not determine who had murdered the Wangaratta mother of three after she vanished from her Brien Crescent home on August 18, 2002, aged 37.
Mr White dismissed the idea that Mrs Bergamin had killed herself, finding instead that in spite of her being under pressure from her estranged husband, John, she had retained a positive attitude to her life and her children.
But he also said Mr Bergamin had tormented his wife after they separated in May, 2002, and she had moved from the King Valley to Wangaratta.
Mrs Russell said she, her husband and mother-in-law had spoken again in recent weeks about asking the public again to come forward with any details about the disappearance.
A $100,000 reward announced two years ago still stands for information offered to police.
“At some point someone has got to say something or dob someone in,” Mrs Russell said.
“There are more than two or three people who know exactly what’s gone on and we want them to know that we haven’t forgotten and the community hasn’t forgotten.”
Anyone with details should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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Wangaratta mum Kath Bergamin was murdered, says coroner
Jane Metlikovec AAP From: Herald Sun June 04, 2008 12:00AM
A VICTORIAN coroner has found mother-of-three Kath Bergamin was murdered, but has been unable to determine the identity of her killer.
In the Victorian Coroner's Court today, coroner Peter White found the Wangaratta mother was killed by an unknown person or persons after she disappeared from home on the evening of August 18, 2002.
Mr White delivered an open verdict at the conclusion of her inquest this afternoon.
He said after considering evidence from family and friends, much of it unreliable, he found Ms Bergamin was taken from her home on the night of her disappearance and killed soon after.
Her remains have never been found.
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Kath Bergamin inquest update VIC POLICE
Release date: Tue 11 September 2007
The inquest relating to the death of missing Wangaratta woman Kath Bergamin has been adjourned until 26 October 2007.
Kath Bergamin disappeared during the evening of Sunday 18 August 2002 from her Brien Crescent home that she shared with a female friend.
A reward of up to $100,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of anyone responsible for the death of the 37-year-old mother of three.
Detectives believe members of the community may have information in relation to this incident and are urging them to come forward.
Investigators particularly want to speak to anyone that anonymously contacted police recently, but did not directly speak to Homicide Squad members.
Any person with information is urged to contact the Homicide Squad on
9865 2362 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
Senior Constable Brett Adamson
Media Officer
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$100,000 Reward
Announced June 2007
A reward of up to $100,000 has been offered for information leading to the arrest and subsequent conviction of anyone responsible for the death of 37-year-old mother of three Kath Bergamin.
Ms Bergamin disappeared during the evening of Sunday 18 August 2002 from her Brien Crescent home that she shared with a female friend.
Investigations by Homicide Squad detectives have established Ms Bergamin was wearing three quarter length red Adidas gym pants with white stripes, a white ‘Tommy Girl’ t-shirt with a red and blue logo, a red coloured hooded windcheater-type jacket and red Nike gym socks.
Ms Bergamin had separated from her husband, with whom she had previously resided in the Cheshunt area, just a few months before her disappearance.
Extensive enquiries were conducted in and around the Wangaratta and Cheshunt areas to identify those responsible for her disappearance.
A large search of bushland area in Cheshunt South was also conducted in an attempt to locate her body.
Kath Bergamin’s remains have never been recovered.
Detectives believe members of the community may have information in relation to this incident and are asking them to come forward.
“The investigation needs that vital piece of information that will enable us to prosecute those responsible and resolve this case,” Homicide Squad Detective Inspector Steve Clark said.
“We hope this reward will encourage anyone to come forward - any piece of information could help. We particularly want to speak to anyone with information who has not yet contacted us.”
The reward is payable at the Chief Commissioner’s discretion and any information received is treated as strictly confidential.
Anybody with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au
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$100,000 reward for missing mum
The Age Mark Russell June 24, 2007
A CORONER will investigate the suspected abduction and murder of mother-of-three Kath Bergamin, who disappeared from her Wangaratta home almost five years ago.
The prime suspect — Mrs Bergamin's estranged husband, John — is expected to be called as a witness.
Police have claimed in court the couple's son, Steven, 24, helped his father murder Mrs Bergamin.
The State Government will announce a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Mrs Bergamin's killer.
John Bergamin, a prominent grape and tobacco grower, was charged with his wife's murder in March last year and spent a month in jail before being released on bail.
The charge was dropped in January because of a lack of evidence.
Mrs Bergamin's family hopes the inquest, which starts on July 31, will provide answers. "We're just hoping things will become a little clearer," her brother, Roger Russell, said yesterday.
Homicide detective Senior Constable Damian Jackson said the inquest, in Wangaratta, was set down for three weeks, with more than 60 witnesses.
"The main focus for the reward is we believe people in the community may have information … and we're asking them to come forward," he said.
The police case against Mr Bergamin and his son has been outlined in court documents obtained by The Sunday Age.
Granting bail to Mr Bergamin last year, Supreme Court judge Betty King said that police claimed he killed his estranged wife so he would not have to sell the family farm and business to pay her if they divorced. The farm at Cheshunt, 55 kilometres south of Wangaratta, had been inherited from Mr Bergamin's parents.
Justice King said police claimed Mr Bergamin:
■Had continued before the murder to contact, stalk and harass Kath Bergamin, despite an intervention order.
■Became aware, on or about August 16, 2002, that Kath Bergamin had initiated proceedings, including spousal maintenance and property settlement.
■Was unable to pay her and could potentially lose the farm.
■Had threatened to kill Kath Bergamin in the past.
■Wanted Kath Bergamin dead to protect the farm.
■Was aware that she was alone at her rented home in Wangaratta on the night of August 18, 2002.
■Abducted her on August 18, 2002, between 7.26pm and 10.10pm, with the help of his son, bundled her into a car, took her to an unknown location and murdered her.
■Disposed of her body at an unknown location and deliberately set fire to the car to destroy any evidence.
■Lied to investigators.
■Disposed of her body at an unknown location and deliberately set fire to the car to destroy any evidence.
■Lied to investigators.
Justice King said the case against Mr Bergamin, 46, was entirely circumstantial and revealed how Mrs Bergamin, on February 11, 2002, attempted to commit suicide with a .22 calibre rifle. The bullet fragmented in her rear lower skull without damaging her brain or other vital organs.
Mrs Bergamin was treated at The Alfred hospital and transferred to the Albert Road Clinic where she was treated for depression.
When police interviewed Mr Bergamin and his son, they denied they had murdered her.
Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to www.crimestoppers.com.au
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