Rachel Fieldhouse
Caring

Million-dollar reward offered 20 years after woman disappeared

Two decades after she disappeared, authorities have increased a reward of $1 million for information relating to the whereabouts of missing NSW woman Amber Haigh.

Ms Haigh vanished on June 5, 2002, and was reported missing on June 19 after she didn’t return to her Kingsvale home where she lived with her six-month-old son and a married couple.

According to a statement from NSW Police, they were told the married couple dropped Ms Haigh off at Campbelltown train station on Wednesday 5, as she had planned to travel to Mt Druitt to visit her hospitalised father.

The increase was announced by the NSW Government and NSW Police Force, in a move that has been welcomed by Ms Haigh’s family.

Rosalind Wright, Ms Haigh’s mother, said she “knows in her heart she (Amber) would never have left her son” while Ms Haigh’s sister, Melissa Millar-Hodder, has urged anyone with information to come forward.

“Any information would help, please contact police,” she said.

“Amer had a kind, warm, loving soul. She would help anyone she can if she needed help.

“Her son never got to know or grow up with his caring, loving mum.

“This impact this has had is feeling incomplete, feeling lost. Not knowing where she is and what happened to Amber, not even to lay her to rest, or pick up the phone or give her hugs one last time; that has been taken away from us.”

Amber Haigh’s sister (left) and mother (right) shared a video message urging anyone with information to come forward. Image: NSW Police (Hightail)

After a 2011 Coronial Inquest found Ms Haigh to be deceased as a result of homicide or other misadventure, a formal review of the case was conducted in 2020 resulted in the investigation re-commencing under Strike Force Villamar II.

Detective Superintendent and Homicide Squad Commander Danny Doherty told 9News police believed Ms Haigh was met with foul play but were yet to find enough evidence to prosecute.

“But, to date, we have been unable to find enough evidence to prosecute anyone over her disappearance,” he said.

“Police can only expect breakthroughs in these sorts of cases with the help of the public, so please, do what is right and come forward.”

Anyone with information that could assist Strike Force Villamar II investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online.

Image: NSW Police (Hightail)

Tags:
Caring, Missing Person, Reward, Police