News Update: Forensic Searches in Rose Howell Disappearance Case
Homicide Squad detectives have launched several forensic searches as part of a renewed appeal for information regarding the suspicious disappearance of Rose Howell from the state’s north over 20 years ago.
Rose Howell, then 18, was last seen around 6:15 PM on Friday, April 11, 2003, walking east along Perry’s Road in Repton toward her home in Bundagen, approximately 25km south of Coffs Harbour. She was reported missing on Sunday, April 13, 2003, after failing to return home and meet her mother for an 11 AM appointment.
At the time of her disappearance, Rose was described as Caucasian with an olive complexion, standing between 160cm and 165cm tall, with hazel eyes and short, dark hair styled in a Mohawk.
A 2012 inquest by the NSW Coroner concluded that Ms. Howell likely died, but the date, place, and cause of death remained undetermined. The case was then referred to the Unsolved Homicide Team for re-investigation. In 2023, detectives from the Unsolved Homicide Team initiated an assessment, leading to the re-investigation under Strike Force Chelonia.
The NSW Government and NSW Police Force have since announced a $750,000 reward for information regarding Ms. Howell’s disappearance. As part of ongoing investigations under Strike Force Chelonia, detectives executed a crime scene warrant at a Repton property, south of Coffs Harbour, on Tuesday, June 4, 2024.
Searches of two external areas of the property were conducted with assistance from the NSWPF Dog & Mounted Unit, specialist forensic officers, and the Australian Federal Police’s specialist Forensic Search and Imagery (FSI) team, utilizing ground-penetrating radar. Additionally, on Monday, July 8, 2024, a Ford Falcon believed to be connected to Ms. Howell’s disappearance was forensically examined.