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Posted: 2024-10-20 22:53:10

WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised this article contains the names and images of people who have died.

The mother of a 16-year-old Indigenous girl who went missing 34 years ago says "it's time" for people who know something about her suspected murder to come forward.

Homicide detectives have returned to Bowraville on the NSW Mid North Coast in an attempt to gain new information about Colleen Walker-Craig's death, and the murders of two other local First Nations children, during a five-month period in 1990 and 1991.

Colleen's mother Muriel Walker-Craig said she knows "there are people who know things" about what happened to her daughter.

"Whatever you know, I want to know," she said.

"I don't want to leave this earth without knowing where she is, I want to have something of hers so that I know she came home."

Body never found

Between September 1990 and January 1991, Evelyn Greenup, aged four, and Clinton Speedy-Duroux and Colleen Walker, both 16, went missing from Bowraville.

Evelyn and Clinton's remains were found in nearby bushland.

Bowraville family

Colleen's aunty Julie Craig, mother Muriel Walker-Craig, and older sister Rose Griffin appeal to the public for information regarding her disappearance. (ABC Coffs Coast: Jasmine Kassis)

Colleen's clothing was found weighted down in the Nambucca River, but her body has never been found.

The NSW coroner found Colleen had died, and had most likely been murdered.

A man who cannot be named was acquitted of the murder of Evelyn and Clinton in separate trials.

An increased $1 million reward announced in 2020 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for each of the murders remains in place.

While police are this week re-appealing for information on all three cases, their focus in Bowraville over the coming days will be on finding Colleen's remains.

A black an white photo of a young girl, a photo of a man holding a baby, and a photo of a toddler-aged girl.

Colleen Walker (left), Clinton Speedy-Duroux and Evelyn Greenup. (Supplied)

'We haven't forgotten'

The commander of the NSW Police's Homicide Squad said officers would be stationed at the hall from 9am-4pm until Friday in the hope locals would come forward with new information.

"It's important for us to be here, to let the family know and the community know that we haven't forgotten," Detective Superintendent Danny Dougherty said.

"We're going to spread community consciousness, and hopefully we can get some information that's relevant and significant."

Man standing and talking to two women at a table in a community hall

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty (right) says the focus of this weeks appeal is finding Colleen's remains.  (ABC Coffs Coast: Jasmine Kassis)

Colleen was the first of the three children to go missing.

She travelled to Bowraville from her home at Sawtell to go to a party, before she went missing.

Colleen's sister, Rose Griffin, said she just wanted people who may know something to come forward.

"We deserve to bring her home," Ms Griffin said.

"Her spirit is wandering and we have no closure, we want justice, for the other two children as well."

Bowraville poster

A poster hangs in Grants Hall at Bowraville, where detectives have set up post. (ABC News: Emma Siossian)

Hope for answers

NSW Greens Senator David Shoebridge, who has advocated for justice for the families, was hopeful the renewed appeal would lead to answers. 

"Any ongoing activity to provide some comfort to the families that their children matter … I think is essential," he said. 

"Three kids don't go missing from the same community without people seeing and knowing things. 

"It's decades too late, but it's never too late to come forward."

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