A MAN has been charged with murder in relation to the suspicious disappearance of 23-year-old Kowanyama woman Allison Bernard in 2013.
Allison was last seen at Archer River Quarry on Sunday, February 10 in 2013 about 11pm.
She had been seen at the Exchange Hotel in Coen that evening, and was expected to travel to Kowanyama, but never arrived.
A large scale search of the area utilising police on foot, quad bikes and vehicles along with helicopters, SES, Defence Force personnel and the police dive squad failed to locate any sign of Allison.
New drone and camera technology which was unavailable in 2013 was utilised for a systematic search of the area in 2021, along with officers on horseback and in four wheel drives.
This targeted search operation, along with further searches in the Coen area in late 2022, unfortunately did not advance investigations.
Yesterday detectives charged a 62-year-old Coen man with one count of murder. He will appear in the Cairns Magistrates Court today, January 31.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.
Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.
Keep up with the latest news in Cairns and the Far North, and check out some of our top stories this week: Elders Justice Group coordinator awarded top citizen and COUCH calls on local heroes to join IRONMAN team.
