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Police offer $500,000 reward to help solve two decades old murder mystery
Featured Image Credit: NSW Police

Police offer $500,000 reward to help solve two decades old murder mystery

Roslyn Reay was found stabbed to death at her home in New South Wales

Police in Australia are offering $500,000 for information to help them solve the 18-year-old murder of New South Wales woman Roslyn Reay.

Reay was 52-years-old when she was found dead in her home on Laman Street in Cooks Hill, Newcastle, on 3 April 2005, and nearly two decades on, the person responsible for her murder remains a mystery.

Officers arrived at the scene after being asked to conduct a welfare check, and found Reay with multiple stab wounds.

No one has been charged for the death of Roslyn Reay.
NSW Police

Her daughter, Mandii, described the unsolved death of her mother as 'like living in a nightmare you can never get out of'.

She remembered Reay as 'gentle soul whose greatest joy was was derived from helping others', and said the knowledge of her 'horrible' final moments 'haunts' her to this day.

"The past 18 years have been extremely challenging for mum's friends and family," Mandii said.

Police set up a team to investigate Reay's murder at the time, but no one was ever charged.

A formal review of the case was conducted in 2021, and a fresh investigation was launched in a bid to track down the killer once and for all.

As part of the search for a resolution, New South Wales Police and the state government have announced a reward of $750,000 AUD ($500,000/ £407,000) for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible.

Police are urging people with information to come forward.
Twitter/@nswpolice

Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, Homicide Squad Commander, described Reay as a 'well-liked and respected member of the Newcastle community', adding: "For her life to be cut short in such a violent manner was a shock to the neighbourhood."

He said the investigators have been going back through 'all evidence collated' in the crime, including forensic material, to make sure there is 'no stone unturned'.

"We are hoping this reward may spark someone's memory who may have spoken to or associated with Roslyn in the March of 2005, and may be able to help us piece together her final movements." Doherty added.

Reay's daughter Mandii is desperate for answers.
NSW Police

Mandii expressed hope that the reward and renewed investigation will help 'jog someone's memory' and 'help [the family] find out what happened to her'.

"I didn't die that day, Mum did, and she would want me to keep living," she continued.

"It's hard; every time I used to have a moment of happiness or anything like that I would instantly feel guilty.

"How can I when that person who's done that to my mum is still out there?"

Anyone with information relating to the death of Roslyn Reay is being urged to contact NSW Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Topics: Crime, Australia