Charges laid in 30-year disappearance case of Wollongong mum

A man has been charged pinch being an accessory to execution successful a breakthrough successful nan three-decades-old disappearance of Illawarra mother Pauline Sowry.

Sowry, besides known by her joined sanction Pauline Lawrence, was past seen successful Wollongong's bluish suburbs successful December 1993.

She was 49 erstwhile she went missing.

A coronial inquest successful 2008 recovered Sowry astir apt had died aft an unconfirmed sighting of her successful 1994. 

Her remains were ne'er recovered contempt extended investigations complete respective years.

An Investigation into her disappearance was reopened successful 2022.

In March 2024, NSW Police offered a $500,000 reward for accusation relating to her decease aliases disappearance.

Searches of nan Illawarra escarpment betwixt March 2023 and October 2024 uncovered a number of clothing items relating to nan disappearance.

The Illawarra escarpment is nan fold successful nan upland ranges surrounding Wollongong.

Following continued investigations, a 64-year-old man was arrested coming successful a portion on Murphys Avenue successful Gwynneville.

The man was taken to Wollongong Police Station, wherever detectives charged him pinch being an accessory aft nan truth to murder, and pinch concealing a superior indictable offence.

He was refused bail by police, and will look successful Wollongong Local Court tomorrow.

Jason Lawrence coming thanked officers for their dedication to nan investigation into his mother's disappearance.

"We invited today's news that a personification has been arrested successful narration to nan suspicious disappearance of our beloved mum. We person waited much than 30 years to perceive today's news," Jason said.

"We miss her each time and her disappearance has taken a immense toll connected myself and our full family.

"We convey nan constabulary officers for ne'er giving up dream and we look guardant to nan result of this investigation," he said.

NSW Police Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar praised his officers' activity pursuing nan arrest.

"During past year's renewed entreaty for information, I made a committedness that nan NSW Police would time off nary chromatic unturned to activity a resolution, and nan persistence and effort by my officers person resulted successful today's arrest," Cassar said.

"I commend nan tireless committedness of our officers successful uncovering answers for Pauline's family and they proceed to activity difficult to bring this matter earlier nan courts."