A $500,000 reward has been announced in a bid to solve the 2005 disappearance of Melbourne mother-of-five Kathleen O’Shea.
O’Shea, then aged 44, had travelled to Ravenshoe in Far North Queensland to visit her son for the birth of her first grandchild.
Family reported her missing on January 13, 2006 but she was last seen at Atherton on December 29, 2005.
In the lead-up to her disappearance, O’Shea had attended a bottle shop at the Atherton Hotel and left in the company of two men, according to police.
On the morning of December 29, O’Shea told a friend she was going to walk into Ravenshoe town centre, where her son Alan would pick her up.
Alan then drove her to Atherton around midday. She told him she was going to the Atherton Hotel to play pool then going to visit a friend in Mareeba, located about 30 kilometres away.
Detectives believe a person, or persons are responsible for her death.
A coronial inquest in 2014 concluded O’Shea likely died soon after December 29, 2005, in the Tablelands area.
Police Minister Mark Ryan said he hoped the offer of a $500,000 reward would lead to a conviction over her alleged murder.
“I genuinely hope that this reward helps to provide answers for O’Shea’s family, friends and the Far North Queensland community,” he said in a statement.
“Police will not stop until they find the answers her loved ones deserve.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Devine said O’Shea’s disappearance was out of character and that detectives believe “there are people who know what happened”.
“We know that Kathleen was very excited to be a grandmother and intended to be present for the birth,” Devine 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.”
O’Shea’s daughter Lily Parmenter said her mother’s disappearance had “a devastating impact” on the family.
“Katie O’Shea was an amazing woman and an even better mother,” she said.
“Mum was funny, quirky, she loved to laugh and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for the people she loved, especially her kids.
“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.”
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 33 000.
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