UPDATE: Couple charged with murder over Amber Haigh's 2002 disappearance

Nineteen-year-old Amber Haigh went missing in 2002. Photo: File.

UPDATED: Homicide Squad detectives investigating the suspicious disappearance of 19-year-old Amber Haigh almost 20 years ago have now charged a man and woman with murder.

Amber was reported missing on 19 June 2002 after she failed to return to her home at Kingsvale, where she and her six-month-old son had been living with a married couple.

Following extensive investigations, a man and woman, both aged 61, were arrested at a property at Harden about 7:30 am today (Wednesday 4 May 2022).

A search warrant was executed at the property a short time later, where police seized a number of items relevant to investigations.

The man and woman were taken to Young Police Station and have since been charged with one count each of murder.

The man has also been charged with aggravated sexual assault – victim with serious intellectual disability.

They were refused bail to appear in Cowra Local Court tomorrow (Thursday 5 May 2022).

11 am: A man and a woman have been arrested in Harden by homicide detectives investigating the suspicious disappearance of 19-year-old Amber Haigh almost 20 years ago.

Detectives travelled to Thurgoona last Wednesday (28 April) and seized a white Suzuki Sierra for further forensic investigation.

Following further investigations, a man and woman, both aged 61, were arrested at a property at Harden about 7:30 am this morning (Wednesday 4 May).

They have been taken to Young Police Station, where it’s expected they will be charged with murder.

Amber was reported missing on Wednesday 19 June 2002 after she failed to return to her home at Kingsvale, south of Young, where she and her six-month-old son had been living with a married couple.

Police were told the couple dropped Amber off at Campbelltown Train Station on Wednesday 5 June 2002, where she intended to take a train to Mt Druitt to visit her sick father in hospital.

Later that day, money was withdrawn from her bank account at an ATM on Queen Street, Campbelltown.

A man and woman, both aged 61, were arrested in Harden and are expected to be charged with Amber Haigh's murder. Photo: NSW Police.

A man and woman, both aged 61, were arrested in Harden and are expected to be charged with Amber Haigh's murder. Photo: NSW Police.

A man and woman, both aged 61, were arrested in Harden and are expected to be charged with Amber Haigh's murder. Photo: NSW Police.

A man and woman, both aged 61, were arrested in Harden and are expected to be charged with Amber Haigh's murder. Photo: NSW Police.

Despite extensive investigations by police over the years – including numerous public appeals and a reward for information – Amber has not been located and the circumstances of her disappearance remain undetermined.

In 2011, a Coronial Inquest found Amber to be deceased, having died as a result of homicide or other misadventure in early June 2002.

In 2020, a formal review of the case was conducted under the Homicide Squad’s Unsolved Homicide framework and a re-investigation commenced by detectives attached to Strike Force Villamar II.

Last month, the NSW Police Force, together with the NSW Government, announced the reward for information relating to Amber’s suspected murder had been increased to $1 million.

Original Article published by Claire Fenwicke on About Regional.