Police are offering a $1 million reward for information to solve the suspicious disappearance of a teenage girl who vanished from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs 22 years ago.
Missing persons squad detectives are probing what happened to 15-year-old Cherie Westell, who was last seen in Wantirna South on December 12 in 2000.
Cherie Westell, 15, vanished from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs in 2000. Victoria Police have just announced a $1 million reward for information about what happened to her.
Cherie was dropped off at Knox Dental Group about noon for a dentist appointment, leaving the practice about 12.30pm.
She called home from a telephone box at the corner of Selkirk Avenue and Wantirna Road at 1.58pm, telling a family member she was planning to catch a train home to Ringwood. She was never heard from again.
Detectives believe Cherie met foul play, and a coronial inquest in 2003 found the teenager had most likely died.
The initial investigation was hampered by a crucial delay: Cherie was a ward of the state, and when her previous foster mother, Frances, tried to make a police report about her disappearance, she was told a biological family member had to raise the alarm.
As a result, the missing persons report was not filed until six days after she vanished.
The 15-year-old has been described as a normal teenager who was passionate about horses, sport, art and music, and was beloved by her family and friends.
Detective acting inspector Tony Combridge, of the missing persons squad, said Cherie’s sudden disappearance was “every family’s worst nightmare”.
He urged anyone who knows what happened to the teenager to “do the right thing and come forward” so her loved ones could finally have closure.
Missing Persons Squad detective acting inspector Tony Combridge.Credit:Eddie Jim
“It doesn’t matter how insignificant you think the piece of information is, it could be exactly what our investigators need to make a breakthrough in this case,” he said.
“After so long, friendships falter and allegiances change. There may be people out there who are now in a position to come forward and speak to police to provide answers for Cherie’s loved ones.
“Those responsible for Cherie’s disappearance have had to live with this secret for over two decades. Twenty-two years is a very long time to be looking over your shoulder.”
Combridge encouraged anyone concerned about the whereabouts of a missing loved one to speak to police.
Cherie Westell called a family member to say she was getting a train from Wantirna South to Ringwood, but then was never heard from again.
“You don’t have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing. You can report someone as missing to your local police where there are fears for the person’s welfare and safety, and their whereabouts are unknown,” he said.
The Victoria Police chief commissioner has the discretion to pay up to $1 million as a reward for information that leads to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of those responsible for Cherie’s disappearance.
Victoria Police said the director of public prosecutions would consider granting indemnity from prosecution to any person who provides information on the identity of offenders in this matter.
Any information given will be treated confidential and may be given at any time to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
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