It took more than a decade – and two police strike forces – for an inquest into Jessica’s abduction and presumed murder to get under way, and deputy state coroner Sharon Freund heard three weeks of evidence.

But when she handed down her findings in early June, no one was surprised by what she had to say.

Given the time that had passed since Jessica was last seen alive, and the fact police still have not been able to find the teen’s body, Ms Freund had little choice but to deliver an open finding.

At the same time, though, she heavily criticised the initial police handling of the case and recommended a substantial reward be offered for information that finally leads to a conviction in this case.

Given the police had admitted during the inquest that the initial investigation into Jessica’s disappearance had been bungled, you would have thought the state would move quickly to make that reward a reality.

Again, though, Ricki Small has been frustrated by delays in this matter.

Almost two months on from Ms Freund’s recommendation, Ms Small is still waiting to hear news about the reward and, understandably, now fears that any momentum established during the inquest may have been lost.

What cannot be ignored, though, is that someone must know what happened to Jessica.

Even if her abductor acted alone on that night, it’s hard to believe they have managed to keep their secret to themselves for almost 17 years.

They must have tripped up at some point in that time, must have been loose with their words and may even have admitted their guilt to another person.

And maybe it will take the lure of a truly life-changing reward to finally bring someone forward with that sort of information.

Ricki Small has had to fight every bit of the way over the past 17 years as she has sought justice.

The handling of plans for a reward is just another bad chapter is what has been a tragic case right from day one.