Two decades later, Bowen dig starts for Rachel’s body

POLICE will today begin digging at the Bowen tip where Rachel Antonio’s parents believe their missing daughter’s remains are hidden.

The exploratory dig will attempt to verify rubbish in a specific location is from the same period of time as when Rachel disappeared.

The 16- year- old vanished on Anzac Day in 1998 after her mother dropped her off at the local cinema.

She is believed to have been murdered and her disappearance is one of Queensland’s highest- profile investigations.

Former tip manager Hugh Smith kept detailed diaries of where he put the town’s rubbish at the time Rachel disappeared and provided police with a hand- drawn map identifying the site of today’s dig.

Last year, a coroner found that Bowen Surf Life Saving Club captain Robert Hytch, who was 25 when Rachel disappeared, killed her and hid the body.

The coroner found the pair had been romantically involved but kept their relationship a secret.

Rachel’s parents, Ian and Cheryl Antonio, believe their daughter’s body was left in a skip bin. Detective Inspector Nikki Colfs said 10 officers, including forensic police from Brisbane, would be involved in the one- day exploratory dig.

Mrs Antonio said she and her husband were “glad” police were beginning their search of the tip.

“It’s good news,” she said.