Police and the family of missing woman Kathleen O’Shea are appealing for information on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance and suspected murder in Far North Queensland.
Ms O’Shea was 44-years-old when she was last seen on December 29 in 2005 in Atherton.
The Melbourne woman had travelled to Queensland to visit her son in Ravenshoe for the birth of her grandchild. She was reported missing by family on January 13, 2006.
On the day she vanished, investigations established that Ms O’Shea attended a bottle shop at the Atherton Hotel and left with two men who have never been identified.
Earlier that morning, Ms O’Shea had told a friend she was planning to walk into Ravenshoe town centre, where her son Alan would collect her. He later drove her to Atherton around midday. She told him she intended to play pool at the Atherton Hotel and then visit a friend in Mareeba.
She did not arrive at her destination and has not been seen since.
A coronial inquest in 2014 concluded that Ms O’Shea likely died soon after her disappearance in the Tablelands area. Police believe someone is responsible for her death.
In 2024, the Queensland Government announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. The reward includes an indemnity provision for any accomplice, other than the person who committed the murder, who first comes forward with relevant information.
Ms O’Shea’s daughter Lilly Parmenter said the family continued to search for answers.
“Twenty years is a long time with no answers, but I will never stop hoping or fighting for the truth,” Ms Parmenter said in a statement.
“I miss my mum every single day – her laugh, her smile, her love, her tin whistle, her cooking. All the things that made her who she was. If you know anything about what happened to Katie please come forward.
“Katie was kind, loving, and full of life. She deserved so much more than what happened to her.”
Detective Senior Sergeant Brett Devine of the Tablelands Criminal Investigation Branch said the investigation remained active.
“Someone in the community knows what happened to Kathleen O’Shea. We urge anyone with information, not matter how small, to contact police,” Detective Devine said in a statement.
“For the past 20 years, Christmas reminds the O’Shea family their mother will not be there to celebrate with them.
“They do not know why she is not there, or how she came to be missing. These are the questions they live with every day.”
Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
