Search for Missing Cheryl Grimmer: New Developments and Family Frustration
A volunteer team searching for the body of Cheryl Grimmer, a British child who disappeared in Australia over 50 years ago, has located an "area of interest." This development has been reported to New South Wales Police, raising hopes for a breakthrough in the long-unsolved case. The 3-year-old vanished from Fairy Meadow beach in Wollongong in January 1970, after emigrating from Bristol with her family.
Potential Breakthrough in Grimmer Case
Search Dogs Sydney, a charity led by handler Chris D'Arcy, offered to assist the Grimmer family. Using cadaver detection dogs, notably Rufus, they identified a specific location showing a "distinct change in behavior." The team has a history of success in cold cases, previously finding human remains in a lake in northern New South Wales.
"What we believe we have located is an area of interest and will pass the information on to the authorities," said Chris D'Arcy.
Ricki Nash, Cheryl's brother, expressed a mix of hope and dread upon hearing the news. "If it is Cheryl out there – she has been there for 55 years now – she shouldn't have been," he stated.
Family's Anger Over Police Investigation
Despite the potential breakthrough, the Grimmer family has voiced strong criticism of the police investigation, particularly regarding a review that concluded without formally interviewing potential eyewitnesses. The family claims that crucial testimonies offered to the BBC after the release of the Fairy Meadow podcast, which has garnered five million downloads, were ignored.
Ricki Nash expressed his "total frustration" with the handling of the review. "Our family can't move forward without the help of the police," he said.
Eyewitness Accounts and Police Inaction
Several individuals have come forward with potentially relevant information regarding Cheryl's disappearance. One man reported seeing a teenage boy carrying a small child away from the changing rooms on the day she vanished. Another woman, Kay Tutton, recalled seeing a man taking a little girl away from the beach. Despite sharing their accounts with the BBC and contacting the police, they were never formally interviewed.
"I think that's sloppy police work," said retired detective Damian Loone, who previously worked on the case, regarding the lack of follow-up with the eyewitnesses.
The family hopes that the new "area of interest" discovery will finally bring closure to a case that has haunted them for over half a century.
Past Confession and Trial Collapse
In 2017, a man known only as "Mercury" was charged with Cheryl's abduction and murder based on a confession he made as a teenager in 1971. However, a judge disallowed the confession as evidence, and the charges were ultimately dropped in 2019.
Continued Search and Plea for Information
The search for Cheryl Grimmer continues, with retired detective Frank Sanvitale urging the person responsible for her disappearance to come forward and provide closure to the families. He emphasized the need for "common sense" and logical thinking in the investigation.
| Case Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Cheryl Grimmer |
| Date of Disappearance | January 12, 1970 |
| Location | Fairy Meadow Beach, Wollongong, NSW, Australia |
| Age at Disappearance | 3 years old |
The ongoing search underscores the enduring pain and frustration experienced by the Grimmer family as they continue to seek answers about what happened to Cheryl over five decades ago.
