Police hope for breakthrough in Julie Cutler cold case mystery with $250,000 reward
Updated
Exactly 30 years since her disappearance, a $250,000 reward has being announced for information in the cold case of Julie Leanne Cutler, who has not been seen since leaving a function at a hotel in central Perth.
Ms Cutler, 22, vanished after attending a staff function at the hotel. Police later discovered her Fiat sedan floating off the beach near the Cottesloe groyne.
Divers and a helicopter searched the area but found no trace of her.
Police at the time believed the car had been in the water since the night of her disappearance.
It was found with the lights switched on and the keys in the ignition.
Ms Cutler's father, Roger, has spoken to the media countless times over the 30 years, but his pain was still raw as the reward was announced.
He said he was sure someone knows something that would break open the case.
"I am sure, this is Perth," he said.
"We're a big city, but it was a big country town in those days.
"Nothing happens in this town that somebody wouldn't know. Somebody's got some information."
Reward and possible pardon on offer
The WA Government is offering $250,000 for information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person or people responsible for her disappearance.
The Government is also "prepared to consider recommending a protection from prosecution or pardon" for anyone with information which leads to the conviction of other people, provided the informer was not directly responsible for her disappearance.
WA Police Commissioner Chris Dawson said cold case homicide squad detectives had launched a fresh investigation following an extensive review of the case.
"No matter what you think, whether you think it's too minor, it's not too minor for police to investigate," Commissioner Dawson said.
"We regard Julie's disappearance as highly suspicious.
"The whole circumstances surrounding Julie's disappearance was very much out of character and the circumstances with the vehicle and where it was located is highly unusual.
"We believe she met with foul play."
Mr Cutler said he felt the State Government and WA Police "had (his) back".
"It's probably been the best thing in the 30 years since she's gone missing," he said.
Mr Cutler admitted the 30 years since his daughter vanished had make it hard to remember "what she was like", but a day hadn't gone by that he didn't think of her.
Topics: murder-and-manslaughter, law-crime-and-justice, missing-person, community-and-society, perth-6000, wa, cottesloe-6011
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