Police believe that a $500,000 prize for information could lead to the resolution of the cold case murder of a Brisbane mother-of-six.
Before the clock struck midnight on February 11, 1998, Elizabeth Henry went missing from Fortitude Valley, pregnant with her seventh child.
The 30-year-old sex worker was last spotted in New Farm around the intersection of Brunswick and Terrace Street.
She was wearing a dark denim miniskirt and shirt along with a little black handbag.
The next day, at around five in the morning, a jogger found her body in a cleared gravel area off Bygotts Road in Samford.
Her purse and clothing were nowhere to be located. “A post-mortem examination revealed she had been violently assaulted with a blunt, heavy object, suffering major head injuries,” according to police.
“Investigations at the time indicated that Liz was killed at another location and moved to the gravel reserve, where attempts had been made to burn her body.” 100 statements and 300 police inquiries later, the matter remains unsolved.
The $250,000 reward was raised to $500,000 by the police today in the hopes that it will generate new leads, according to Henry’s relatives.
“The unresolved nature of the case has caused ongoing pain,” Jennifer Schefe, Henry’s sister, stated at a press conference today.
“Her absence continues to be deeply felt.” “We are unwavering in our hope that there will be justice for Liz.”
Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Anthony Johns urged anyone with knowledge regarding her death to come forward, saying that it was out there. “Liz’s children grew up without their mother and her parents have passed away without knowing what happened to her,” he stated.
“Relationships and loyalties change, and I would encourage anyone with information, big or small, to contact police.”
The $500,000 Queensland Government Reward is given for information that results in the murder suspects’ capture and conviction.
In addition, the incentive provides a potential for immunity from prosecution for any accomplice who provides information first—that is, anyone other than the murderer.
