$100K reward offered in relation to the disappearance of Sydney mother
The mother of a missing Sydney woman has made a heartbreaking plea for information on her daughter's disappearance on what would have been her 45th birthday.
The NSW Government announced on Wednesday a $100,000 reward for information that leads to those responsible for the disappearance and suspected murder of Sydney mother Tracey Valesini.
Detectives from the Unsolved Homicide Team were joined by her family to appeal for assistance on Wednesday, which would have been Tracey’s birthday.
The last confirmed sighting of Ms Valesini, then aged 20, was at a custody hearing at Campbelltown Court on January 8 in 1993.
She failed to appear for a further hearing on February 12 and has been uncontactable since then.
Unsolved Homicide Team Coordinator, Detective Inspector Stewart Leggat, said Ms Valesini was a resilient, independent young woman.
“Unfortunately, these strengths have made investigating her disappearance difficult for police,” Det Insp Leggat said.
“By all accounts, Tracey was very much in charge of her own life, even at a young age, and by her late teens, she would often go for long periods without visiting her family.
“That said, it was out of character for her to no-show at court for the custody hearing as her daughters were her world.”
Ms Valesini's family made numerous attempts to contact and locate her after she failed to attend court, but she and her housemates had moved out of their Sadleir home - near Liverpool, in Sydney's south west - without a forwarding address.
Her mother, Sandra McSavaney, - who's terminally ill - appealed to the conscience of those who know what happened to her, but haven’t yet provided information to investigators on Wednesday.
“Someone knows what happened to my girl, and enough is enough – please tell the police what you know and help put my mind at ease,” Ms McSavaney said.
“No one should ever have to bury a child, but I haven’t even been given that opportunity.
“If anything, I want to be able to bring her home and say proper goodbyes – the least Tracey deserves is to rest in peace.
“We’ve had too many birthdays and too many Christmases without Tracey, and I am pleading for someone to come forward so that today – her 45th birthday – is our last without answers."
Macquarie Fields Police commenced a missing person’s investigation after Ms Valesini was reported missing, which focused on following her last known movements.
“In addition to following up numerous reported sightings, police engaged with various agencies and financial institutions to gather information about her movements after December 1992,” Det Insp Leggat said.
“Through these inquiries, police were able to determine that Tracey moved to a home at Wentworth Falls with her new boyfriend and his sister and partner, where they lived until May 1993, but they have since told police Tracey moved out earlier in the year when their relationships deteriorated.
“She hadn’t accessed her bank accounts or government benefits since December 1992, with the exception of a single deposit and withdrawal more than 12 months later.”
Following a review in 2001 by detectives from the Homicide Squad, Strike Force Sonning was established to reinvestigate her disappearance and suspected murder.
After receiving information from the community, a search warrant was executed at Tracey’s former home at McLaughlin Avenue, Wentworth Falls, on May 9 2001.
During a forensic examination of the bathroom, police located blood, which was swabbed and secured for further examination.
They believe it to be Ms Valesini's blood.
Despite extensive investigations by local and Homicide Squad detectives, she wasn't located and a brief was prepared for the NSW Coroner.
The Coronial Inquest was held in February 2006, and the State Coroner returned a finding: ‘Tracey died between December 1992 and December 1993 at Wentworth Falls of injuries inflicted upon her by another person’.
The matter was referred back to the Unsolved Homicide Team for future investigation, which was recently reviewed and reinvestigation commenced.
As their investigations continue, the NSW Government has announced a $100,000 reward for information that leads to the conviction of those responsible for Ms Valesini's suspected murder.
NSW Minister for Police, Troy Grant, said the NSW Government was pleased to offer the reward, which will assist detectives with their ongoing investigation.
“No family should endure not knowing what happened to their loved one, and the NSW Government is committed to providing police with what they need to find answers for families like Tracey’s,” Mr Grant said.
Detective Inspector Leggat said he is confident there are people out there who know what happened to Tracey but, for whatever reason, have been reluctant to come forward.
“We are thankful to NSW Government for offering this reward, which may just be the motivation for someone who knows something to get in touch with us,” he said.
“It has been 24 years since Tracey was last seen – 24 long years for her family – and detectives are giving everything they’ve got to provide answers to them."
