Deceased/Not Found Australia - Rachel Antonio, 16, Bowen, Qld, 25 April 1998

marlywings

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New inquest into presumed murder of Rachel Antonio to feature new witness with evidence of relationship between her and surf club captain

May 27, 2014


SEVERAL new witnesses are expected to be called to give evidence during an inquest into one of North Queensland’s most enduring mysteries, the disappearance and presumed murder of Bowen teenager Rachel Joy Antonio.

One of the new witnesses will be a family friend of the Antonios, who reportedly told police about an alleged relationship between Rachel, then 16, and her surf club captain, Robert Hytch, then aged 25.

But the man’s evidence was never heard during the trial against Hytch, who served nine months of a nine-year sentence for her manslaughter before being acquitted by a jury and released in 2001.

It is understood the man’s statement to police was deemed relevant after recent investigations by the coroner’s office.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...urf-club-captain/story-fnihsrf2-1226932685300
 
The disappearance and presumed murder of 16-year-old Rachel Antonio is one of Queensland's most enduring mysteries.

685503-missing-bowen-teenager-rachel-joy-antonio-16yrs.jpg


http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...urf-club-captain/story-fnihsrf2-1226932685300
 
A report from back in 2012...

Rachel Antonio's family seeks truth after 14 years of agony

December 20, 2012


A CORONIAL inquest will be held into one of Queensland's greatest mysteries - the suspected death of Rachel Antonio.

In what has been 14 years coming for a family desperate for answers, Ian and Cheryl Antonio hope an inquest into their daughter's disappearance will find her killer, or at the very least, find her body.

Rachel, who enjoyed the great outdoors, was 16 when she vanished from Bowen in 1998.

The inquest, the first held into her case, comes after lobbying from her family who have already endured two court cases.

700103-rachel-antonio-murder-investigation-graphic.jpg


http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...4-years-of-agony/story-e6freoof-1226540698926
 
Last updated 28/03/2014

Missing
Suspected Murder of
RACHEL JOY ANTONIO
$250 000 REWARD


REWARD:
The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services has approved a reward of $250,000 be offered for information which leads to the recovery of the remains of Rachel Joy ANTONIO.

INDEMNITY FROM PROSECUTION:
In addition, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice or person, not being the person who actually committed the crime, who first gives such information.

The allocation of the $250,000 reward will be at the sole discretion of the Commissioner of the Police Service

CIRCUMSTANCES:
At about 6.00pm on Saturday, 25 April 1998, Cheryl ANTONIO drove her 16 year old daughter, Rachel Joy ANTONIO to the "Summer Garden" Cinema at the corner of Beach Avenue and Murroona Street, Queens Beach. As the movie did not commence until 7.00pm Rachel intended to walk down to the 'stinger nets' at the end of Beach Avenue, some 200 metres from the Cinema. This she did and was seen leaving the beach by a number of persons at 6.45pm. She was seen walking on Queens Beach Esplanade shortly after, but has not been seen since.

Rachel is described as 165cm tall, slim athletic build, hazel eyes, fair complexion with sun-bleached brown shoulder length hair.

When last sighted she was wearing a short sleeved, collarless T-shirt with horizontal blue and white stripes, a green skirt above the knee with large brass buttons down the front and black dress sandals.

Any member of the public with information which could assist Police is asked to contact:

the Homicide Investigation Group, Brisbane, Phone (07) 3364 6122;
any Police Station; or
Crime Stoppers, Phone 1800 333 000.


antonio.gif


http://www.police.qld.gov.au/News+and+Alerts/rewards/a/antonio.htm
 
Rachel Antonio coronial inquest: Family 'very emotional' as hearing begins

The family of north Queensland teenager Rachel Antonio say they are very emotional as a coronial inquest begins at Bowen Magistrates Court, 16 years after she vanished.

The 16-year-old was last seen near the Queens Beach area on Anzac Day in 1998.

Cheryl Antonio choked back tears as she gave evidence today about her daughter's disappearance.

She told the court Rachel was a fit and athletic teenager who was active in surf live saving.

The court also heard Rachel dreamed of a future in the Australian Defence Force

Her boyfriend at the time, Robert Hytch, was found guilty of her manslaughter in 1999 and served nine months of his sentence before being acquitted at a retrial.

Mr Hytch is expected to give evidence at the coronial inquest, which will be held in three parts over several months in Bowen.

The coroner is investigating if Rachel died, and if so, how and why

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-...inquest-bowen-qld/5611242?WT.ac=statenews_qld
 
This case is hard for me to look at, my daughter is about this age and it just makes me worry for her.

Omg, poor Rachel - and her parents. Looking forward to the results of the inquest. Will be looking into all this more, once I can look at Rachel and not see my own child so clearly.
 
Shocks as the inquest begins into Rachel Antonio’s disappearance

RACHEL Antonio’s newly disclosed diary entries contradict Robert Hytch’s denial the pair had a sexual relationship.

The former Bowen Surf Life Saving Club captain, almost 10 years her senior, has always denied having an intimate relationship with the teenager before she vanished without a trace on Anzac Day, 1998.

But Rachel’s diaries tell a different story, detailing sexual encounters and her love for Hytch

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.a...os-disappearance/story-fnjfzs4b-1226996933026
 
Parents of missing Bowen teen condemn witness silence


THE parents of missing Bowen schoolgirl Rachel Antonio believe their daughter might still be alive if witnesses who gave evidence concerning her wellbeing in the months leading up to her disappearance had approached them 16 years ago.

They said some of the information revealed during the inquest had been difficult to hear as they believed people had a duty of care to speak up about their daughter’s wellbeing 16 years ago.

“If they came forward and told us, Rachel would still be here today,” Mrs Antonio said.

http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.a...-witness-silence/story-fnjfzs4b-1227002128994
 
https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/2489571...-from-man-once-convicted-of-her-manslaughter/

The parents of missing North Queensland teen Rachel Antonio want to look the man once convicted of her manslaughter in the eye when he gives evidence today at a coronial inquest.

The coroner is examining the disappearance of the 16-year-old, who was last seen on the Bowen foreshore on Anzac Day in 1998...

"We've waited 16 and a half years, and never heard him say a word," said Mr Antonio. "There's a lot of questions we'd like answered."
 
Rachel Antonio inquest: Former boyfriend Robert Hytch refuses to answer questions

snipped
The man acquitted of killing north Queensland teenager Rachel Antonio has tried to stonewall authorities at a coronial inquest into her disappearance.

On the stand at the inquest in Bowen on Monday, he refused to answer questions until he was compelled by coroner David O'Connell.

On the way into court on Monday, Mr Antonio said they believed the inquest would be the key to understanding what happened to their daughter.

"We don't have any expectation," Mr Antonio said. "The truth has to come out ... a bit more, bit more, bit more."
 
Oh everyone beat me to it
Was just about to post. Interesting. I never knew about the sand dunes being a point of interest to sniffer dogs.
Also kings beach is not 'nearby' where she was last seen. Queens beach however, yes.
 
Am i allowed to post a picture of the local newspapers article from today?
 
THE alleged secret boyfriend of Rachel Antonio has urged the Supreme Court to overturn a coroner’s ruling that the teenager died after a “physical altercation” with him.

(...)

Mr Hytch this week lodged an application in the Brisbane Supreme Court for the decision to be reviewed, in particular the allegations that he killed her and disposed of her body.

In the application, his lawyers allege there was “no evidence or other material to justify the making of the decision” and that it was an improper exercise of power.

It is also alleged the coroner made legal errors. A directions hearing will be held in the Brisbane Supreme Court next month.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...g/news-story/4abf6534e3a5af3e8a0f74335ed189d1
 

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