
A $200,000 reward is being offered for information in relation to the cold case murder of Leura woman, Maureen McLaughlin. The 23-year-old was last believed seen on March 31, 1992 at a hotel on Main Street, Lithgow, and her father reported her missing to local police three days later.
Her body was discovered by a bushwalker in a shallow grave off State Mine Gully Road at Lithgow on April 13, 1992.
Police Minister Michael Gallacher announced the state government was posting the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder alongside police and Ms McLaughlin’s sister, Jane, on Monday, June 20.
A $100,000 reward was offered in 1994 for 12 months but no one came forward, he said.
“The slightest piece of information could help detectives put the puzzle together to solve this case, so I’d encourage anyone with information, no matter how small to come forward,” Mr Gallacher said in a statement.
Ms McLaughlin had attended the Katoomba RSL club on Lurline Street on March 30 where she made three separate ATM withdrawals, the last at 4.37pm.
She then caught a taxi home to Leura before leaving again a short time later.
Investigations into her disappearance were conducted by Blue Mountains police before the bushwalker reported discovering a body at Lithgow, later identified as Ms McLaughlin.
Mr Gallacher hoped the appeal would lead to the case being wrapped up.
“Maureen McLaughlin’s family has lived in limbo for almost 20 years, and I sincerely hope this reward leads to someone coming forward with the information that will help solve this case,” he said.
Her body was discovered by a bushwalker in a shallow grave off State Mine Gully Road at Lithgow on April 13, 1992.
Police Minister Michael Gallacher announced the state government was posting the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder alongside police and Ms McLaughlin’s sister, Jane, on Monday, June 20.
A $100,000 reward was offered in 1994 for 12 months but no one came forward, he said.
“The slightest piece of information could help detectives put the puzzle together to solve this case, so I’d encourage anyone with information, no matter how small to come forward,” Mr Gallacher said in a statement.
Ms McLaughlin had attended the Katoomba RSL club on Lurline Street on March 30 where she made three separate ATM withdrawals, the last at 4.37pm.
She then caught a taxi home to Leura before leaving again a short time later.
Investigations into her disappearance were conducted by Blue Mountains police before the bushwalker reported discovering a body at Lithgow, later identified as Ms McLaughlin.
Mr Gallacher hoped the appeal would lead to the case being wrapped up.
“Maureen McLaughlin’s family has lived in limbo for almost 20 years, and I sincerely hope this reward leads to someone coming forward with the information that will help solve this case,” he said.