TWENTY-ONE years to the day since Bathurst teenager Jessica Small was abducted from Kelso, a $1 million reward will be announced for information leading to her killer’s conviction.
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Jessica’s mother, Ricki, who has campaigned for a reward since her daughter went missing, said it was great news “but not before time”.
The $1 million reward is equal to the highest ever offered by the NSW Government, with only four other cases receiving that amount.
They include the unsolved cases of William Tyrrell, Maria Smith, Lynette White and Raphael Joseph.
“We’ve fought for this for this for so long, now we’re just really hoping for an outcome,” Mrs Small said.
She thanked officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Sergeant Peter Smith, for continuing to fight hard for the family.
“He has pushed for this all along, and his tenacity in investigating Jessica’s case has to be acknowledged.”
Jessica Small, aged 15, was last seen in the early hours of Sunday, October 26, 1997 after attending the Amuse Me amusement centre on Russell Street, Bathurst, with a female friend.
The girls were attempting to hitch-hike home and entered a white-coloured sedan driven by an unknown man.
Police were told the man stopped the car on Hereford Street and turned off the headlights before assaulting both girls and attempting to detain them in the vehicle.
Jessica’s friend was able to escape and alert nearby residents, but the car drove off with Jessica still inside.
Investigators believe the last sighting of the vehicle was near Duramana Road and Willott Close, Eglinton, travelling towards Hill End.
Jessica has not been seen or heard from since and Deputy State Coroner Magistrate Sharon Freund found at a 2014 coronial inquest that Jessica had been murdered.
In January 2015, a $100,000 NSW Government reward was announced for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone responsible for Jessica’s murder.
The matter was referred to detectives from the Homicide Squad’s Unsolved Homicide Unit, who are continuing to re-investigate.
Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Scott Cook, acknowledged the ongoing commitment of investigators.
“Since its inception, Strike Force Carica II detectives have been diligently conducting inquiries into Jessica’s disappearance – both here in NSW and interstate,” Det Supt Cook said.
“A considerable effort has been put into locating the old white sedan that Jessica and her friend were picked up in.
“The vehicle itself was not overly distinct, but we know there were holes in the passenger-side footwell – Jessica’s friend reported being able to see the road while they were driving.
“We’ve forensically examined numerous vehicles similar to that described by witnesses, but we have yet to find the car.
“Investigators believe the Eglinton sighting is significant – it’s a fairly remote area and at that time, most of the roads weren’t sealed, so we expect the driver had local knowledge.”
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
