Breakthrough developments in the cold case disappearance of a glamourous model almost 30 years ago have led to the NSW Coroner opening a second inquest.
The remaining family of a missing Sydney model turned prostitute has welcomed a $1million reward for information about her disappearance 26 years ago.
Revelle Balmain, 22, was last seen on November 5, 1994, at Kingsford, in the city s eastern suburbs and is presumed to have been murdered.
Ms Balmain s half-sister, Suellen Simpson, said her sibling s disappearance had caused immeasurable grief to her family for a quarter of a century. For many years, our family worked tirelessly to find out what happened to my sister - but sadly both our mother and Revelle s father, Ivor, passed away without ever knowing what happened to their little girl, Ms Simpson said.
On Friday, NSW Police announced a A$1 million (NZ$1.075m) reward for information into her disappearance. Her sister, Suellen Simpson, said Balmain’s disappearance had caused immeasurable grief to her family for more than 26 years.
NSW Police Media/Supplied
Police in Australia have announced a NZ$1.075 million reward for information into the disappearance of model Revelle Balmain. “It destroyed us. It was horrific,” she said. “I felt like a piece of my heart was ripped from my chest. “Losing someone that is close to you – you’re never the same person again. I truly hope this reward will prompt someone to come forward with information that will help police find those responsible for Revelle’s disappearance.
State Crime Command director Detective Chief Superintendent Darren Bennett said that, over the years, police and the community had worked hard to piece together what happened to Ms Balmain.
âWith fresh eyes now being cast over more than two decadeâs worth of statements and intelligence reports, as well as physical and forensic evidence, it is our hope that justice will be found,â he said.
Following a 1999 coronial Inquest, the matter was referred to the unsolved homicide unit for future investigation.
Last year, a formal review of the case was conducted under the new unsolved framework and assigned to a senior detective for reinvestigation under Strike Force Aramac.