For information that will help a mother still in pain 20 years after her daughter Rose Howell vanished, NSW Police is offering $750,000.
Howell was only 18 years old when she went missing, and although a coroner determined that “it’s likely” she passed away, the details of her demise are still unknown.
She was last seen on Friday, April 11, 2003, at around 6.15 p.m. heading east down Perrys Road in Repton, presumably towards her home in Bundagen, which is located about 25 kilometres south of Coffs Harbour.
Malila, Howell’s mother, knew the adolescent had made arrangements to meet friends in Bellingen that evening.
According to Detective Superintendent Danny Doherty, Howell is thought to have hitched a ride the day she vanished in the Bellingen region.
Howell “was excited” to celebrate her approaching birthday party and it wasn’t unusual for her to stay the night at a friend’s house.
Howell was formally reported missing after failing to come home and meet her mother for a scheduled appointment two days after she was last seen.
The $750,000 reward, according to Ms. Howell, may help people remember what happened to her “eccentric” and “quirky” daughter.
She said, “Someone must be aware of something.”
“Before learning what had happened to her, her father passed away.
She has three brothers, who are unaware of her situation.
Ms. Howell claimed that whenever she meets individuals in the street, she briefly considers whether one of them might be her daughter.
She remarked, “I have a sense that maybe one day she’s just going to walk around the corner and just return.
She was described as having short, dark hair styled in a Mohawk, an olive complexion, hazel eyes, and being of Caucasian appearance. She was also between 160 and 165 centimetres tall.
According to Ms. Howell, her kid was “amazingly funny” and “marched around the world.”
She said, “She stood out.”
A coronial inquiry concluded in December 2012 that she had most certainly passed away, but the exact time, place, and circumstances of her demise were unknown.
It’s challenging to comprehend that she’s likely passed away, Ms. Howell said.
Anyone with knowledge on the disappearance is advised to contact Crime Stoppers or the police right away.
