Police have offered a hefty reward more than 20 years after the historic disappearance of teenager Niamh Maye, as her family reveals the deep heartbreak they continue to suffer to this day.
Niamh Maye, 18, was last seen near Jingelic in the NSW Riverina region on March 30, 2002, and was due to catch a bus from Batlow to the train a Cootamundra later that day.
Ms Maye was expected to arrive by train at her sister’s home in Sydney but was never seen or heard from again, with NSW Police suspecting she was “met with foul play”.
Riverina police launched an extensive search for the girl at the time and in the many years since, but despite numerous public appeals have not been able to locate her.
On Wednesday, police announced a $250,000 reward for information that lead to the discovery of Ms Maye’s remains, or for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
Riverina Police District commander superintendent Andrew Spliet said he was hopeful the reward will be an incentive for anyone who knows something to speak up.
“Any information, no matter how small, could be the missing piece of the puzzle we need to locate Niamh and finally bring answers and some peace to her family,” he said.
“Today is Niamh’s 40th birthday, and it’s about time her family can celebrate her life without the heartbreak of not knowing where she is.
“We have never given up on Niamh, and we’re not about to.”
Now aged 82 and living in a retirement village in Sydney, Niamh’s mother Anne Maye said she and her family needed to lay their daughter, sister, aunt, and friend to rest.
“Today, Niamh should be celebrating her 40th birthday with her family and friends – instead we mourn the beautiful soul and precious time that have been taken from us,” she said.
“We still desperately want to find her and lay her to rest with the dignity and respect she deserves. If you know something, or can help find her, please do the right thing and come forward.
“Words can’t describe how special Niamh is to our whole family. Her disappearance has left a gaping hole and we have never given up on finding her.
“We hope this reward will lead us to the answers we have sought for more than twenty years now.”
My Maye’s sister Fionnuala Hagerty said her sister would be “forever young” to her family.
“Niamh was 18 when she was taken from us,” she said.
“We’re still searching for her, and we won’t stop.”
A website set up to help solve Ms Maye’s two decade disappearance described her as an “adventurous teenager”, who had embarked on a working-holiday gap year.
Ms Maye and two friends had arrived from Armidale for the fruit picking season and were staying at the Batlow Caravan Park prior to the 18-year-old’s disappearance.
The teen had planned on travelling back to Armidale with her sister for Easter, but after a mix-up with her train ticket she was forced to remain in Batlow.
At the time of her disappearance, police said Ms Maye was carrying personal belongings in a backpack, including clothing, camera equipment, camping gear, and cookware.
None of the items have ever been located.
Anyone with information that may assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.