Update in cold case of 12yo schoolgirl

Lisa Mott has been missing since 1980. Picture: Supplied.
Lisa Mott has been missing since 1980. Picture: Supplied.

The disappearance and suspected murder of 12-year-old schoolgirl Lisa Mott has been pushed into the spotlight once again as police appeal for fresh information.

Lisa went missing after she went to play basketball with her friend in Western Australia’s southwestern region in 1980.

She went to the local Collie courts on Throssel Street with her friend about 6.45pm on October 30.

About two hours later she went to a nearby pizza shop before beginning to walk home about 9pm.

Lisa was last seen crossing a railway line to Forrest Street.

However, the 12-year-old never returned home.

Lisa Mott has been missing since 1980. Picture: Supplied.
Lisa Mott has been missing since 1980. Picture: Supplied.
She was last seen attending the local basketball court with a friend. Picture: Supplied.
She was last seen attending the local basketball court with a friend. Picture: Supplied.

Western Australia Cold Case Investigation Squad Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Dowding said police were still hoping to find an explanation for Lisa’s disappearance, 44 years on.

“It’s every parent’s worst nightmare – losing a bright young child without any explanation,” Sergeant Dowding said.

“We want to find that explanation and we believe that’s possible with the help of the community.

“Any small piece of information may be all we need to progress this investigation and find the answers for Lisa’s family.”

The WA Cold Case Investigation Squad has launched a fresh appeal for information. Picture: Supplied.
The WA Cold Case Investigation Squad has launched a fresh appeal for information. Picture: Supplied.

Lisa has been described as 152cm tall at the time of her disappearance with a fair complexion, thin build, light brown hair and hazel eyes.

She was last seen wearing a light blue T-shirt, dark blue towelling shorts with a white trim around the legs.

She also wore a pair of brown and fawn striped sneakers with white socks.

As part of the ongoing investigation, detectives from the Cold Case Investigation Squad will be stationed at a mobile police facility in Collie from Wednesday.

It follows the release of the second part of WA Police Force’s Cold Case Western Australia podcast.

The podcast looks into the disappearance and suspected murder of Lisa, with other cases including the deaths of Andrew Podpinka, Laura Muckersie and Annette Deverell.

Police have urged anyone with information to come forward to the mobile police facility, which is outside the PCYC at 105 Forrest Street, Collie.