Help find missing mum
TWO unnamed men could hold the key to the mysterious disappearance and suspected murder of a Mossman mum of four more than 20 years ago, police have revealed.
A cold case investigation has begun into missing woman Joanne Butterfield who was last seen leaving her Mowbray home with plans to hitchhike south in June 1998.
She was never seen again, although some of her belongings were found strewn along a cane train line near Innisfail three days later.
Far North police Det Acting Insp Kevin Goan said Ms Butterfield, who he described as a “free spirit”, had links to two men from the Mossman area just prior to her disappearance.
“We have persons of interest to what we are doing,” he said. “We would like to hear from the public as to what they might know about Joanne’s connections to males within the Mossman area at the time or just prior to her disappearance.”
Det Acting Insp Goan also revealed police feared there might be people with information still fearing for their safety some 23 years on.
“I can assure those people if they do come forward we will work with them to bring about a resolution that ensures their safety,” he said.
Ms Butterfield’s family have made several appeals for information in the years since her disappearance.
Her son Thorne Nyker, who now lives in New South Wales, spoke out in 2015 saying he “will not stop until I find her”.
Det Acting Insp Goan said police wanted to give her family “closure”.
“Not only are we seeking to bring persons to justice for any involvement in Joanne’s disappearance, we are also looking to find where Joanne’s deceased remains may be so that Joanne’s family can lay their loved one to rest,” he said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police or anonymously call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.