ACT Policing has marked National Missing Persons Week (NMPW) this week (until 6 August) with a reminder that there are 15 long term missing people from the Territory.
Detective Acting Inspector Paul Reynolds said NMPW aimed to raise community awareness about the significant issues and impacts associated with missing persons in Australia.
“Throughout the course of a year, around 53,000 people are reported missing and while most are found within hours or days, this week remains a reminder for those who are not,” A/Inspector Reynolds said.
“This year’s campaign message, Without them, calls for people to think of the people you love and ask what your life would be without them,” he said.
“ACT Policing continues to seek community information to assist in locating our missing persons.”
A/Inspector Reynolds said ACT Policing officers were continuing to consider all avenues to find answers for the families and friends who didn’t know what had happened to their loved ones.
“We need the public’s help to do that,” he said.
“We firmly believe that members of the Canberra community have information about our missing people.”
Inspector Reynolds said even the smallest amount of information could help police solve a 40-year-old case.
He said Elizabeth Herfort was ACT Policing’s 2022 NMPW profile focus.
“She was last seen at the Australian National University Bar, Acton, ACT on the 13th of June 1980,” A/Inspector Reynolds said.
“Later that night, between 9pm and 9.45pm a person fitting her description was seen hitch-hiking on the south bound carriageway leading to Commonwealth Avenue,” he said.
“It is believed that this person was then given a lift in a car along Commonwealth Avenue to the intersection of Coronation Drive near the Croquet Club.”
Inspector Reynolds said Elizabeth didn’t return home that night and had not been seen or heard from since.
Additional information on the ACT’s missing persons can be accessed at this PS News link.
