Police renew push to solve cold case disappearance of Jessica Small
Jessica Small went missing from Bathurst, NSW on October 26, 1997. (Supplied: NSW Police)
In short:
Jessica Small has not been seen since her friend escaped from a car after they were both assaulted in October 1997.
A 2014 coronial inquest found Jessica was likely murdered and in 2018 police offered a $1 million reward in the hunt for leads.
What's next?
A second inquest is set to be held and the NSW Crime Commission is supporting the homicide task force.
Police have renewed an appeal for information about the kidnapping and suspected death of a New South Wales teenager 27 years ago.
Fifteen-year-old Jessica Small and a friend were hitchhiking home from an amusement centre in Bathurst in the early hours of October 26, 1997 when a man in a white sedan picked them up and allegedly assaulted them.
The friend managed to escape from the car and raised the alarm with people nearby, but the man drove away with Jessica inside.
Jessica Small and her friend were assaulted by the male driver of a Holden Commodore in 1997. (Supplied: NSW Police)
Homicide Squad Commander Joe Doueihi said new witnesses and lines of inquiry emerged after police offered a $1 million reward for information in 2018.
"We were specifically given information and received information about the car that was seen in the area at the time of Jessica's disappearance," he said.
"And we have had a nomination of a potential person of interest that was not previously known to the investigation."
Detective Superintendent Joe Doueihi says the Crime Commission is working with police on the case. (ABC News: Ethan Rix)
The white Holden Commodore was last seen travelling toward Hill End, near Duramana Road and Willott Close, Eglinton, according to Strike Force Carica II detectives.
Detective Superintendent Doueihi said the investigation had the support of the NSW Crime Commission, which can compel witnesses to supply evidence.
"The NSW Crime Commission is a law enforcement partner that we will call upon for assistance depending on the complexity and the nature of the investigation," he said.
"They have additional powers and resources that the NSW Police Force do not have, and some of those include [holding] some type of hearing."
The state coroner has granted a fresh inquest into the death of Ms Small at a date yet to be set.
Jessica Small's mother Ricki and sister Rebecca leaving court during the 2014 inquest. (ABC News: Melanie Pearce)
Something went 'terribly wrong'
During a 2014 coronial inquest in Bathurst, Jessica's mother Ricki Small said it was her deepest wish that her daughter be found.
"I have no doubt something went terribly wrong," she said.
In 2014 Deputy State Coroner Sharon Freund found Jessica was abducted and murdered by an unknown person on the day she disappeared or the day after.
Magistrate Freund told the inquest there were two persons of interest in the case.
But because the original police investigation was inadequate, she had been hampered from coming to any conclusions as to who was responsible.
Anyone with information that may assist police investigations is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Editorial note: This story has been updated to remove details about a court case unrelated to Ms Small’s disappearance.