DETECTIVES from the Tablelands Criminal Investigation Branch are hopeful that the announcement of a $500,000 reward will bring in new information to assist police investigations into the disappearance and suspected murder of Kathleen O’Shea in 2005.
Ms O’Shea, then aged 44, resided in Melbourne but was visiting her son in Ravenshoe for the birth of her grandchild, she was last seen on December 29, 2005, at Atherton.
Ms O’Shea was reported missing by family on January 13, 2006.
Tablelands Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Devine said detectives believe Ms O’Shea’s disappearance was suspicious and that there are people who know what happened.
“Kathleen’s disappearance was out of character; she was in Far North Queensland pending the arrival of her first grandchild. We know that Kathleen was very excited to be a grandmother and intended to be present for the birth,” he said.
“A $500,000 reward is now in place for information that may lead to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for Kathleen’s disappearance.
“Any information, no matter how small or insignificant it may seem, could be the key to bringing closure for Kathleen’s family.”
An investigation into Ms O’Shea’s movements revealed she attended the bottle shop at the Atherton Hotel and left in the company of two men.
On the morning of December 29, Ms O’Shea told a friend she was going to walk into the Ravenshoe town centre, and her son Alan would pick her up.
Alan picked her up and drove her to Atherton around midday, when she told him she was going to the Atherton Hotel to play pool and visit a friend in Mareeba.
Investigations into Ms O’Shea’s disappearance have continued, and detectives believe a person, or persons are responsible for her death.
A coronial inquest was held in 2014 and the Coroner found that Ms O’Shea likely died soon after December 29, 2005, in the Tablelands area.
Ms O’Shea’s daughter Lily Parmenter said her mother was an amazing woman.
“Mum was funny, quirky, she loved to laugh and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for the people she loved, especially her kids,” Ms Parmenter said.
“18 years ago, someone took her from us and our family would like to be able to get justice for her and to lay her to rest.”
The $500,000 Queensland Government Reward is for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this murder.
The Government reward further offers an opportunity for indemnity against prosecution for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the murder, who first gives such information.
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.
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