New Zealand Police are assisting New South Wales Police with the investigation into the disappearance of New Zealander Linda Suzanne Davie.
The NSW Police Minister announced today that the NSW Government is offering a $100,000 reward for information relating to the disappearance and presumed murder of Ms Davie who was 22 years old at the time she went missing in Sydney around 6 April, 1980. It is hoped that the reward might encourage anyone with information to come forward.
The NSW Government offers rewards to help solve some of the most serious cases where police need the public’s assistance to solve a crime.
Linda Davie, born in New Zealand in November 1957, was living with her partner, Stephen Lavender, in a house they shared with others in Wollstonecraft on Sydney’s North Shore, prior to her disappearance around 6 April 1980. She had been living in Australia since late 1978 with Mr Lavender, an Australian citizen.
NSW Police know that on April 5 1980 Linda went to a club called The Manzil Room in Kings Cross with a friend – where two men attempted to pick them up, and later dropped Linda and her friend home.
On April 6 Linda visited Mr Lavender at the Royal North Shore Hospital where he was a patient. That was the last day that Linda was seen.
Mr Lavender became concerned when Linda failed to visit him in hospital on April 7. Three days later, on April 10, he received a letter believed to be from Linda saying that she would be away until the following week. This sudden absence and the letter was out of character he told police.
Mr Lavender became further concerned when on his discharge from hospital on April 15 he returned home and found that all of Linda's belongings were still in the house.
NSW Police believe that the two men who drove Linda and her friend home from Kings Cross on April 5 may have information vital to the investigation.
Police want to hear from anyone that might have known Linda Davie, whether it be friends, relatives or associates. They would also like to speak with witnesses who came forward initially to police when Linda was reported missing in 1980.
In 2002, Linda's disappearance was investigated by NSW Police in connection with the disappearance of two other women – Marion Sandford, who was last seen in North Sydney, NSW, in January 1980 and Mary Wallace – last seen in Crows Nest, NSW in September 1983.
The officers responsible for the investigation believe new information will assist them in identifying the criminals – whether it is here in New Zealand, in Australia or anywhere else this investigation may take them.
New Zealand Police urge anyone with any information – no matter how small or insignificant you may think the information is – to contact your local Police Station or contact the New Zealand Police National Missing Person Unit on 04 4749499.
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Media Note:
The reward announcement was made in Sydney today at a media conference attended by Linda's brother who lives in New Zealand.
For further information contact:
Kaye Calder
Public Affairs, NZ Police National Headquarters
tel 027 241 6305 or pager 026 10 10 82
