Police have this week renewed their appeal for information on the disappearance of Armidale teen Niamh Maye who went missing from Jingellic campground on Saturday 30th March 2002.
Police understand Ms Maye, who was 18 at the time, had travel arrangements to leave Batlow for Sydney to stay with her sister, however never made the journey and was reported missing by family.
According to family and friends, Ms Maye had been fruit picking in the Riverina region prior to her disappearance and she had been driven to Gocup Road at Tumut by an associate.
A coronial inquest in 2012 determined the teen had likely died at or near Tumut however, despite investigations no one has ever been charged in connection to her disappearance.
The investigation is currently under review by the new unsolved homicide framework.
This year Missing Persons Week is being coordinated by the newly formed Missing Persons Registry to raise awareness of the issues and impacts surrounding missing persons.
The registry, formed last year, is comprised of seven detectives and four analysts who work to resolve long term missing person cases.
Detective Inspector Glen Browne, Manager of the Missing Person Registry said family and friends are heavily impacted when a loved one goes missing.
Niamh Maye’s father, Brian Maye, remembered his daughter as a happy and creative young woman with a great sense of humour.
“Niamh is always with us in spirit and we will always honour the 18 years she filled us with her brightness,” Mr Maye said.
“Not a day goes by we don’t think of Niamh and the life she would have lived. We miss our beautiful, loving, cheeky, fun daughter, sister and aunt".
Niamh Maye’s mother, Anne Maye, said her daughter was a devoted and much-loved sister and aunt to her six siblings and one niece.
“As a family, we have never given up hope that we might be able to find Niamh and give her a proper resting place,” Mrs Maye said.
“Niamh’s memory lives on with us – including eleven new nieces and nephews, two of whom carry her name as their middle name, in honour of the aunt they never had the opportunity to meet.
“After 18 years of unanswered questions, we’re asking anyone in the community who may have information to please come forward,” Mrs Maye said.
At the time of her disappearance, Niamh was described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall, with a slim build, shoulder-length dark blonde hair and blue/grey eyes.
She was last seen carrying a backpack, tent, sleeping bag and metre-long stick.
Anyone with information about Niamh Maye’s disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.