Police have announced a $500,000 reward in an appeal for information about woman who disappeared in Far North Queensland more than a decade ago.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains images and names of people who have died.
Ms Bernard, 23, whose family asked that she only be referred to by her surname, has been listed as a missing person since February 10, 2013.
The Kowanyama-born woman was travelling around Cape York when she disappeared.
Her family raised the alarm when she stopped making regular contact.
Detective Superintendent Sonia Smith today announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to the identification and conviction of anyone responsible for Ms Bernard's disappearance.
"Ms Bernard was last seen at Archer River quarry on Sunday, the 10th of February 2013 at 11pm," she said.
"She'd been seen at the Exchange Hotel in Coen that evening, and was expected to travel to Kowanyama, however never arrived," she said.
Searches and a police investigation at the time failed to uncover what happened to her.
Investigation questioned
An inquest in Cairns last year heard the last man to see Ms Bernard, Thomas Byrnes, gave conflicting stories to police.
But concerns some officers had were not passed on to senior investigators or those who searched the bushland around where she was last seen, the inquest heard.
The rigour of the investigation was also questioned, along with the lack of forensic testing at the location where Mr Byrnes said he was with Ms Bernard, and possible scratches on Mr Byrnes.
Coroner Nerida Wilson ordered additional searches be conducted in the areas around where Ms Bernard went missing.
Superintendent Smith said in 2021, new drone and camera technology as well as 50 police and SES volunteers searched 8.5 square kilometres of rough terrain in Archer Creek, north of Coen.
"Specialised Queensland Fire and Emergency Services drones were deployed, along with four members on horseback, quad bikes and close to 24 four-wheel-drive vehicles," she said.
"Despite two-and-a-half days and nearly 1,000 search hours, police were unsuccessful locating items or anything of interest."
Lawyer representing the family, Debbie Kilroy, said the police had clearly failed in the search for Ms Bernard.
"This reward should have been put up by Minister Mark Ryan and the Queensland Police Service a decade ago when she first disappeared," she said.
"Hopefully someone will come forward, but I still think it's 10 years too late."
Hope for new information
Crime Stoppers officers will also visit the Coen region to promote the reward.
Superintendent Smith said the searches and other investigations had exhausted current lines of inquiry.
"We've reached the stage in the investigation where we believe that this reward could generate information that will lead to the identification and conviction of any person or persons responsible for the disappearance of Ms Bernard at Coen," she said.
Detective Smith also read a statement from Ms Bernard's family, which said the family was still devastated by her disappearance.
"Her absence continues to impact our lives and community," she read.
"We acknowledge the announcement of the reward by the Police Minister, and we encourage anyone that has information that may assist investigations to come forward with that information.
"Family members deserve the respect of having the questions that surround her disappearance answered."
Ms Bernard's death remains the subject of a coronial investigation, which will resume in Cairns next month.
