October 28th 2024.
In Australia's New South Wales, there is a stretch of coast from Newcastle to Byron Bay where at least 67 women have gone missing or been murdered. It's a disturbing situation that has caught the attention of the nation, with many speculating that the worst serial killer in Australia's history could be on the loose.
The first case dates back to 1977, when 21-year-old Narelle Cox vanished while hitchhiking from Grafton to Noosa in neighboring Queensland. She was last seen by a truck driver who dropped her off in Brunswick Heads, a small town located about 18 kilometers north of Byron Bay. This area is known for its beautiful turquoise sea and white sand.
Since then, numerous women have disappeared along the northern coast of New South Wales, between Newcastle and Byron Bay. The suspicion is growing that the same person may be behind some, if not all, of these cases. Green member of the state's legislative council, Jeremy Buckingham, declared last week that "the worst serial killer in the nation's history has gotten away with it." He pointed out that Ivan Milat, a convicted serial killer, only killed seven people, while it is believed that the perpetrator in this case may have killed even more.
Narelle Cox, who was one of the first victims, left a note for her family saying she was going to Noosa to see a friend and would be back on Monday. It is a heartbreaking detail that shows just how young and innocent these women were. Buckingham believes that the person responsible for these horrific crimes has been able to evade justice for far too long and could still be living among us.
During an emotional speech, Buckingham expressed his anger and frustration at the lack of progress in solving these cases. He said, "It's appalling that it's taken so long for this matter to come before the house and to public attention." He also broke down in tears as he mentioned the possibility that the perpetrator might have killed himself or fled the country, meaning they could still be out there.
The police have launched several task forces over the years to investigate the disappearances, but they claim there is no evidence to suggest that a common offender is responsible. However, Buckingham suggests that it is either that or there are numerous murderers who have not been caught. He admitted that he has been labeled as "alarmist" for bringing attention to this issue, but he firmly believes that it is impossible for 67 individuals to have committed these crimes.
One of the victims' mothers, Rose Howell, has been fighting for justice since her daughter, 18-year-old Rose, disappeared in 2003. Buckingham's motion for the police to release files on certain cases within 21 days was passed by the state's upper house on Wednesday. However, this may not be possible for cases that are still under investigation.
Since Buckingham's speech, more and more women have come forward on social media to share their own experiences of being followed or feeling unsafe in the area. Hayley, who goes by @heykayley on TikTok, shared a terrifying story of how she was almost kidnapped while walking to the beach in Byron Bay. She described the man as "experienced" and said it was like she was being hunted.
Even when she first shared her story last month, many people commented about the high number of missing people in the area. Another woman, Laura Clare, shared her own TikTok video about a "close call while hitchhiking" in Byron Bay. She and her friend entered a man's van, but she noticed a big rusty knife on the front passenger seat. The driver claimed to be a chef and said he owned the knife for work, but Laura's instincts told her to get out of there. She said, "This is where my red flags were like, 'Get out of there'...and I was like, 'That's us, thank you so much', and he pulled over and let us out."
Despite calls for a special commission to investigate the "alarming similarity" between these cases, Premier Chris Minns has yet to take any action. He stated that there is a cold case unit within the police force, and they are committed to investigating any new information that is provided. However, if the parliament decides to take a different route, they will respond accordingly.
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