Law enforcement have accused a man with murder, just hours following skeletal remains were located during a investigation for the body of a woman who disappeared over two decades ago.
Breakthrough in Years-Old Case
This finding of human remains, believed to be those of Susan Goodwin, concealed in the garden of a house in a regional town, a southern state, signaled a major advancement in the cold case.
Homicide detectives arrested and charged a senior Port Lincoln resident with the murder of Goodwin, who was reported missing in July 2002.
Legal Proceedings
The suspect was due to face charges in the local magistrates court on Thursday.
Investigation Details
Prior to the arrest, authorities indicated they had temporarily halted their search after the discovery of bones at a local property during preliminary digging.
A bone specialist from Forensic Science SA and additional personnel from the evidence collection section and homicide branch travelled to the town to verify if the bones were of human origin and proceed with excavations.
Investigators had been using advanced radar equipment to scan a property on Pamir Court, which is near Moonta Crescent, where Goodwin had lived.
Family’s Two-Decade Search
Earlier this week, a lead investigator stated that it was “heartbreaking that the victim’s loved ones have spent the last twenty-three years without closure”.
Case History
Goodwin was spotted around lunchtime on 19 July 2002, after running errands at grocery stores in Port Lincoln.
Police had earlier stated she was killed “by someone who was familiar to her” and suspect the killer still resides in the community.
Several years ago, police mentioned that a public appeal for information had led to multiple potential suspects being cleared by the investigation.
A reward of up to $200,000 is offered for information leading to the conviction of the perpetrator and/or information that leads to the recovery of her remains.
