Police have announced a potentially significant breakthrough in the long-standing case of Jessica Small, a teenage girl who vanished almost 30 years ago. She was last seen on October 26, 1997, when the 15-year-old and a friend decided to hitchhike home after spending time at an amusement parlour in Bathurst, New South Wales. Tragically, the girls were picked up by a driver who assaulted them; while Jessica’s friend managed to escape, Jessica was abducted and taken away in a white sedan.
Despite numerous suspects being questioned over the years, no charges were filed. An inquest into her disappearance was conducted in 2014, and law enforcement offered a $1 million reward for information leading to her whereabouts. Recent developments, however, have ignited new hope in the investigation.
As reported by A Current Affair, new information has emerged suggesting a number of sexual assault incidents involving teenage girls during the same period Jessica went missing. NSW Homicide Squad commander Joe Doueihi noted that these cases were investigated and resolved, and detectives believe they may hold the key to unraveling Jessica’s case. One such incident occurred close to the location where Jessica was last seen, just 200 metres away, making it potentially significant to the investigation.
In response to these new leads, a fresh strike force has been established, and the coercive powers of the NSW Crime Commission are being employed to assist in the inquiry. Moreover, the state coroner plans to conduct a second inquest based on the newfound information.
The community remains vigilant in hopes of finally uncovering the truth surrounding Jessica Small’s disappearance after nearly three decades.