Laura Haworth, then aged 23, was last seen in Queanbeyan in 2008. Photo: ACT Policing.
A $500,000 reward has been announced for information that could solve the suspected murder of a young mother who disappeared over 15 years ago.
Laura Haworth was last seen on Collett Street in Queanbeyan on 5 January 2008 before her car was located in Reid in the ACT on 18 January.
The 23-year-old mother-of-two from Canberra has never been found.
Earlier this year, police from the ACT and NSW jointly announced the formation of Strike Force Viking to investigate the exact circumstances of her disappearance.
Police had received information that resulted in them suspecting she met with “foul play” around the time she went missing.
Then, on Monday (26 August), the NSW Government and NSW Police announced a $500,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the suspected murder of Ms Haworth.
“It’s critical that anyone with information passes that onto police who have worked tirelessly to investigate Laura’s disappearance,” Minister for Police Yasmin Catley said.
“Laura’s family have been without their loved one for over a decade and we hope this reward goes some way toward providing answers.
“My appeal to the public is: if you know something, there are now five hundred thousand more reasons to come forward.”
The Monaro Police District crime manager, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Grey, hoped the reward could lead to a breakthrough in the case.
“We believe there is someone out there who knows something about Laura’s disappearance,” he said.
Laura Haworth’s red Mazda 121 was found at Kanangra Court, Reid, in the ACT. Photo: NSW Police.
He said during the summer holidays, Queanbeyan and Canberra was a transient area with people travelling back and forth from the NSW coast.
Also, as Summernats was held on the weekend Ms Haworth disappeared, people from other parts of the state may have been in the ACT at the time and may have information that could help police.
“We plead for those people to help bring Laura home and provide some closure for Laura’s family who have now been forced to celebrate 16 birthdays and special holidays without Laura,” Detective Inspector Grey said.
“They deserve to know what happened to their daughter, sister and mother.”
Earlier this year, police said they were looking at a possible link to Summernats during the investigation into Ms Haworth as she disappeared on the weekend of the annual motor festival that brought thousands of visitors to the ACT.
In 2020, Ms Haworth’s mother, Beth Cassilles, told the media her family missed her deeply every day. She had two children when she disappeared.
“They have grown up wondering where their mother is and what happened to her, but we do not know. The effects on her loved ones have been immense, ongoing and unrelenting,” Ms Cassilles said.
If you have information on Ms Haworth’s whereabouts, you can contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000.
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