Detectives from the ACT police believe foul play is involved with the disappearance of Canberran Laura Haworth, who has been missing for more than 16 years.
ACT Policing and NSW Police have formed a joint task force to investigate her disappearance. Police fear that she was killed after she disappeared on January 5, 2008. They said they had "received information that led them to suspect she met with foul play on or about that time".
ACT Detective Acting Inspector Adam Rhynehart said any information could be relevant to solving Laura's disappearance.
"I'm extremely confident someone out there knows what happened to her, all we need them to do is make that phone call," he said.
NSW Police Detective Chief Inspector Neil Grey said they're "extremely optimistic" they will be able to find the family some answers.
"I'd love to find Laura, I'd love to reunite her with a family, but as I said, we have great concerns for her welfare," he said.
Family waits for answers
ACT police made a call for information on Ms Haworth's disappearance during the 2024 Summernats festival. Ms Haworth disappeared during the 2008 car festival.
Inspector Rhynehart said he was unable to comment on what information police receive during investigations.
Ms Haworth's family have always said that she had shown no indication of unhappiness before her disappearance in 2008. She had - and has - a loving family with two children whom she adored. Her children were 3 and 4 years old at the time.
The 23-year-old mother of two was last seen leaving a friend's house in Queanbeyan. Her bright red Mazda 121 sedan was found two weeks after her disappearance on January 19, 2008, in Reid.
Her phone and handbag were missing, and there had been no activity relating to her phone or her bank account.
In January 2024, her family made a heart-breaking plea for information on the anniversary of her disappearance.
"Laura is a mother, a daughter, a sister and a friend and we ache to know what has happened to her," they said.
"Every day we live with what ifs, whys, and maybes. The pain of not knowing what has happened to Laura is brutal and has a huge impact on our daily lives.
"Laura we love you and miss you. You have a loving family waiting for news, please, please be in touch."
Police still investigating
Ms Haworth's Mazda was thoroughly examined at the time but no details of what that examination might have revealed have been made public.
Having a personal vehicle from which to draw forensic "leads" is unusual among long-term missing persons, most of whom leave precious few exhibits, especially one the size of a car, to examine.
Ms Cassilles's frustration with the investigation into her daughter's case bubbled over in 2017 when she made an impassioned plea directly to Chief Minister Andrew Barr on ABC radio talkback.
She asked at that time for more police resources to help find her daughter. Mr Barr promised at the time to contact ACT Policing on her behalf.
Police and Ms Haworth's family have urged anyone with information about the Canberra woman's disappearance to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
