🔗 Share this article

Law enforcement have charged a individual with murder, mere moments following skeletal remains were located during a investigation for the remains of a woman who disappeared more than two years ago.

Major Development in Years-Old Investigation

This finding of skeletal evidence, thought to be those of a 39-year-old woman, buried in the back yard of a house in Port Lincoln, South Australia, marked a major advancement in the cold case.

Major crime detectives arrested and accused a senior local man with the killing of Goodwin, who was reported missing in July 2002.

Legal Proceedings

The suspect was due to appear in Port Lincoln judicial court on the following day.

Search Efforts

Earlier, police indicated they had temporarily halted their excavation after the unearthing of possible human remains at a local address during initial digging.

A bone specialist from the state forensics department and extra personnel from the evidence collection unit and major crime division were dispatched to the location to confirm if the bones were human and proceed with the dig.

Police had been using advanced radar equipment to examine a property on Pamir Court, which adjoins Moonta Crescent, where the missing woman had resided.

Relatives' Long Wait

Earlier this week, a lead investigator commented that it was “heartbreaking that the victim’s family have endured the last 23 years without closure”.

Background

Goodwin was last seen around midday on a July day in 2002, after shopping at grocery stores in the area.

Authorities had earlier stated she was killed “by someone who was very close to her” and suspect the killer still resides in the town.

Several years ago, police mentioned that a public appeal for information had led to seven persons of interest being eliminated by the probe.

A financial incentive of up to $200,000 is available for information that results in the prosecution of the perpetrator and/or information that leads to the discovery of her remains.