Megan Mulquiney has been missing from Canberra since 1984. Photo: ACT Policing.
Police are calling for help to solve the giant jigsaw puzzles that are missing persons cases, including the tragic disappearance and likely murder of a teenage girl who disappeared 40 years ago.
Megan Louise Mulquiney finished her shift at Big W at the Woden Shopping Centre at around midday on 28 July 1984 and was last seen at about 12:15 pm, standing outside the western entrance of the Woden Plaza.
While the 17-year-old was supposed to catch a bus home, she was not seen again.
A 2011 inquest found she died either later on or shortly after that day, and it was highly likely she was murdered.
At the time, the coroner said two persons of interest had been identified, including a man who was believed to be behind several other attacks on women around the same time.
“Megan was gentle, warm and loving and a little bit shy,” her family said in 2024.
“She was a beautiful girl. I never stopped hoping I will have answers about Megan’s whereabouts.
“It’s been nearly 40 years and it never goes away.”
The tragic case of Ms Mulquiney is being highlighted as part of this year’s National Missing Persons Week.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) says under the theme Forever Loved, this year’s campaign honours the enduring grief, love and hope held by families whose loved ones have vanished without a trace and whose absence is felt every single day.
Laura Haworth went missing 16 years ago. Photo: Region.
There are 14 long-term missing persons in Canberra, but this year ACT Policing is focusing on nine, including Laura Haworth, who vanished in 2008.
“Laura is a mother, a daughter, a sister and a friend, and we ache to know what has happened to her,” a family spokesperson said.
“There is a place in my head and in my heart all the time for Laura; she is always present in my mind. Laura, I miss you dearly.”
Detective Inspector Matt Innes said some of the nine cases date back to the 1970s, so police were seeking any information from anybody to assist the families with resolving these matters.
“They’ve all gone missing in different circumstances, and that’s part of the frustration of these inquiries, because there are so many different reasons why people go missing,” he said.
“That’s the challenge for investigators and police intelligence units … to try and put together a package or a picture of these people. That sort of level of investigative technique is very challenging.”
ACT Policing are focusing on nine long-term missing persons cases for the 2025 National Missing Persons Week. Photo: ACT Policing.
Detective Inspector Innes said he couldn’t imagine what the families of missing persons must be feeling during this annual week.
“But I would hope that they view this week as the police are still actively engaged in trying to find their loved ones,” he said.
He said missing persons cases were like “a giant jigsaw puzzle”.
“Any piece of information could be that final piece that leads us to another piece,” he said.
“Any information is vital to us.”
The nine long-term missing persons to be featured during the campaign are Ms Mulquiney, Ms Haworth, Wendy Dalla, Robert Jacob, Amelia Hausia, Vince Policarpio, Kate Alexander and David Abuoi. The last is the case of Elizabeth Herfort.
“When Liz disappeared, the world lost something precious,” Ms Herfort’s family wrote in a statement this week.
“She was a strong and capable young woman, who was passionate about caring for animals and good music, who loved gardening and baking. We’ve never known anyone with a kinder heart and she deserves justice.
“If anyone remembers or knows anything about what happened to Liz, we implore you to contact police.”
An ACT Policing spokesperson said the community will see graphics on Transport Canberra buses, posters at businesses and organisations around Canberra, and content on the ACT Policing social media channels, bringing awareness to these long-term missing people.
Canberra landmarks will also shine yellow across the week to remind the community of missing persons, and the loss felt by loved ones.
The AFP spokesperson said the number of people who go missing in Australia each year is steady, and about 50,000 missing persons reports are received each year, with about half for people aged 13 to 17.
If a person has been missing for more than three months, they are considered to be a long-term missing person. There are about 2700 long-term missing people in Australia.
You can report information about missing persons to CrimeStoppers by calling 1800 333 000.
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