A $1 million reward has been offered for information about the disappearance and suspected murder of heiress Juanita Nielsen in Sydney 46 years ago.
The 38-year-old newspaper owner and journalist, who was an activist heavily involved in the controversial green bans in the 1970s, was last seen at the Carousel Cabaret on Rosyln Street at Kings Cross, on the morning of July 4, 1975.
During investigations at the time, police uncovered information about a conspiracy to kidnap Nielsen four days before her last known sighting.
Three men were later arrested and charged with conspiracy to kidnap, two of whom were convicted.
Despite the case generating extraordinary publicity, Nielsen’s remains have never been found and no one has been charged in relation to her disappearance and suspected murder.
She was the publisher of NOW, an alternative newspaper in Sydney, and it was widely speculated she was kidnapped and murdered because of her anti-development and anti-corruption campaigns.
A 1983 coronial inquest found it was likely Nielsen had died but a cause of death was undetermined.
Her cousin Francis Foy said Nielsen’s disappearance has devastated the family.
“Juanita was very much loved by her family and very much missed. Her disappearance and the unknown of what happened to her caused incredible pain for her family,” Foy said.
“Our purpose now is to try and find where Juanita’s remains are, so that she can be buried respectfully with other members of our family and a memorial can be placed.
“We do hope there is someone or may have associated with people around Kings Cross in 1975 that may be able to shed some light on where her remains are.”
The $1 million NSW government reward was confirmed on Monday as part of a new appeal for any information that may help police bring her killers to justice.
“We acknowledge that this matter occurred more than four decades ago and that there is very limited opportunity for police to gather further forensic evidence and witness statements,” Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty said.
“In turn, it has also become difficult for police to target known persons of interest or associates due to their passing.
“However, it is our hope that someone in the community may have information about Juanita’s disappearance, or the location of her remains.
“After nearly half a century of searching for answers, police hope to locate Juanita, so her family may put her to rest.”
