Fresh river search for murdered Aboriginal teen’s body

Police divers hope to unearth the remains of an Indigenous teenager who disappeared more than three decades ago, years after heavy clothing was found in a river.

Colleen Walker-Craig was 16 when she was last seen in Bowraville on the mid-north coast of NSW in September 1990.

Her four-year-old cousin Evelyn Greenup and 16-year-old Clinton Speedy-Duroux also disappeared from the town in late 1990, but it took years for detectives to suspect it might be the work of a serial killer.

Colleen’s body was never found, although two of the indigenous children’s remains were found in nearby woodland in 1991.

The NSW Coroner concluded he was likely murdered.

Investigators on Friday said they launched a two-day search operation for the 16-year-old boy’s remains, targeting two key stretches of the Nambucca River.

“There may have been some gaps in the search of the river at that time, so police will be there today and tomorrow to complete a comprehensive search of the Nambucca River,” Homicide Commander Joe Doueihi told reporters on Friday.

The river area had previously been searched, revealing the teenager’s heavy clothing, but the renewed effort was to ensure no stone was left unturned.

Police said Naval Area Command will assist investigators under the Wilson Bridge in Macksville.

On Saturday, the focus will shift to a section of the river that is behind private property and is not accessible to the public.

Detective Superintendent Doueihi said police met with the family in Bowraville on Friday.

He also reminded the public that a reward of $1 million will be offered for any information that provides information about the remains of the deceased young man or leads to the conviction of the person or persons behind the three deaths.

In October 2024, Colleen’s mother, Muriel Craig, appealed to the public for information that could put an end to her daughter’s disappearance.

“I want to know, I don’t want to leave this world without knowing where he is,” he said.

“I just want people who know things to come forward, if you don’t karma will still catch up with you.”

A parliamentary inquiry into families’ reactions to the murders in Bowraville recommended a review of procedures and training on Aboriginal cultural awareness and funding of memorial services for children in 2014.

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