A $500,000 reward has been offered to solve the mystery surrounding the death of a woman whose naked body was found naked in a dam 200km from home.
The remains of Cecilia Devine, who was also known as Kristen Pearson, were found in a water treatment facility for the Upper Cascade Creek Dam in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney on March 19, 2019.
The singer and songwriter, 42, had been living and working in Newcastle, north of Sydney at the time.
She was last seen shopping at Coles and withdrawing money from an ATM in Katoomba six months earlier.
CCTV from September 6, 2018 showed Ms Devine wearing a bright yellow cardigan, black pants and carrying an orange handbag.
Despite extensive investigations, police have been unable to piece together what happened to her but are treating her death as suspicious.
A coronial inquest held earlier this year determined Ms Devine died sometime between September 6 and 13, 2018 but was unable to determine how she died.
On Tuesday, the coronial findings handed the investigation back to police, who have renewed their public appeal and announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person/s responsible
The remains of Cecilia Devine were found at a water treatment facility for the Upper Cascade Creek Dam in March, 2019
The last known image of Ms Devine taken by CCTV in the Blue Mountains town of Katoomba on September 6, 2018
Superintendent John Nelson hopes the reward will urge anyone who may have seen Cecilia to come forward.
‘Prior to her disappearance, Cecilia travelled from Newcastle to Katoomba yet we still don’t have firm evidence of how she got here, why she made the journey, or how she died,’ Supt Nelson said.
‘We are urging anyone who saw Cecilia at the time she was reported missing, or who has any information about her whereabouts at the time, to contact police.
‘This information could very well be the missing puzzle piece for this investigation.
‘We are committed to find the answers the NSW community and Cecilia’s family deserve.’
A coronial inquest held earlier this year determined Cecilia Devine died between September 6 and 13, 2018
Ms Devine’s mother, Kathy Pearson, welcomed the ramped up investigation.
‘Cecilia – who was also known as Kristen – was a much-loved daughter, sister, and friend who was taken from us too soon in terrible circumstances,’ she said.
She was a talented singer and songwriter, with a sparkling smile, infectious laugh, and a big heart.
‘We hope that this reward encourages anyone with information to come forward and help the police to provide answers and peace of mind to our family,’ she said.
Investigations under Strike Force Eking continue.