Advertisement

Man charged with murder over mysterious disappearance of woman six years ago


A man is due to face court accused of murdering NSW woman Leisl Smith, last seen six years ago.

Ms Smith, then 23, left her Wallarah home on the state’s Central Coast on August 19, 2012.

Police searched extensively but failed to find any trace of her although more than a month after she vanished, her Honda Accord was found abandoned at nearby Tuggerah railway station.

In April 2013 detectives spoke to a then 42-year-old man before searching two properties at Wallarah and 80km north at Brookfield, where they seized several items.

More properties were scoured bordering the Golden Highway at Merriwa in the far west of the Hunter region.

Leisl Smith has not been seen since 2012. Image: Facebook/Leisl Smith
Leisl Smith has not been seen since 2012. Image: Facebook/Leisl Smith

On the anniversary of Ms Smith’s disappearance this year, her mother made a desperate plea for information on Facebook.

“Today is the anniversary of my daughters disappearance… I am at Tuggerah station where she was last seen … any information should be given to Crimestoppers or the Wyong police… please don’t hesitate to share this and don’t hesitate to share information… ty … Leisl’s mum xxx,” she said on the Find Leisl Smith Facebook page.

After ongoing investigations, a 48-year-old man was arrested on Thursday on the Gwydir Highway, west of Inverell, in northern NSW.

He was charged with murder and refused bail to appear in Inverell Local Court on Friday.