Arabic version: تحقيق يكشف عن قصص مؤلمة من عائلات الأشخاص المفقودين

A New South Wales inquiry into unsolved disappearances has begun, highlighting the grief and frustration of families affected by the cases. Kevin Docherty, whose twin sister Kay went missing in 1979, shared a poignant account of his family’s pain, stating that his parents died of ‘broken hearts’ after her disappearance. According to ABC News, Docherty’s testimony is part of a broader investigation into historical missing persons cases that may be linked to serial killer Ivan Milat.

Kay was last seen near a bus stop on Shellharbour Road in Warilla, and an inquest in 2013 suggested that she and her friend Toni Cavanagh likely died shortly after going missing. Docherty expressed frustration with police responses over the years, recalling the first contact from detectives in 30 years regarding his sister’s cold case. He emphasized the need for families to be heard and acknowledged the ongoing search for answers.

The inquiry will also hear from other families, including the brothers of Cheryl Grimmer, a three-year-old who was kidnapped from Fairy Meadow Beach in 1970. MP Jeremy Buckingham, chairing the inquiry, noted that numerous reports of assaults and near-misses had been associated with Milat after the fact.

The hearing commenced after a visit to Belanglo State Forest, where Milat committed his crimes. Families continue to hope for justice and closure as the inquiry progresses, focusing on the unresolved cases that have left lasting scars on the community.