Warning: Graphic content, readers’ discretion advised. This story contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some readers discretion advised
Here’s a summary of what is known about what happened to Janine Vaughan. There remain many unknowns, and the case is still officially unsolved.
Janine Vaughan was 31 years old when she disappeared in the early hours of 7 December 2001, in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
She had spent a night out with friends (at a nightclub called the Metro Tavern in Bathurst). Shortly after 3:45-4:00 am she was seen walking alone in the rain on Keppel Street.
A red sedan car pulled up, and Janine got into the passenger side,that is the last confirmed sighting of he,a coronial inquest in 2009 found that she had died (on or after the date of her disappearance) but the cause of death could not be determined and her body has never been found.
The New South Wales Police Force (NSW Police) established a task force (Strike Force Toko II) in 2013 to reinvestigate the case.
A reward of A$1 million is being offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible.
We don’t know exactly who got into the car with Janine or what happened immediately afterward, We don’t know where her body is ,if her body was recovered at all.
We don’t know the exact cause of death, since no body and limited evidence means the coroner could not determine it.There are many leads, persons of interest, and theories-but none have resulted in a charge or resolution (as publicly reported).
There are concerns about evidence handling:
for example a bloodied knife found days after Janine’s disappearance was reportedly destroyed before full forensic testing.
Those close to Janine describe her as “bright, bubbly, vivacious” and someone who would not normally get into a car with a stranger.
Investigators believe the red car seen in the CCTV and by witnesses is critical to the case.
The small town setting (Bathurst) and the length of time elapsed mean public interest has waxed and waned, but her family continues appeals and involvement.
Officially: Janine is declared deceased (the inquest found probable death) but the case remains an unsolved homicide/disappearance.
Investigations are ongoing, and new forensic techniques (DNA etc) are being referenced as part of the ongoing work. police.nsw.gov.au
The reward remains offered, and the family remains hopeful for closure