Australia Australia - Allan Whyte, 17, & Maureen Braddy, 16, Bendigo, Vic, 23 Nov 1968

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Maureen Braddy, Allan Whyte disappearance: $1 million reward offered in case of missing Bendigo teenagers
ABC CENTRAL VICTORIA STEPHANIE CORSETTI
UPDATED MON JAN 23 13:39:08 EST 2017

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PHOTO Maureen Braddy and Allan Whyte disappeared in 1968.
SUPPLIED

'A $1 million reward is being offered to help solve the suspicious disappearance of Bendigo teenagers Maureen Braddy and Allan Whyte almost 50 years ago.

The pair aged 16 and 17 were last seen leaving a dance in Bendigo on Mundy Street in November 1968.

The families of the pair had been pushing for a $1 million reward after an inconclusive coronial finding three years ago.

Victoria's Chief Commissioner of Police is making that money available if it leads to the conviction of those responsible or the person responsible for the abduction and murder.'

'Police hope the reward will lead to someone with crucial information or direct knowledge about the disappearance to come forward.

Detective Inspector Stephen Dennis said he believed someone within the Bendigo community held the key to solving this case.

"This disappearance has been extremely devastating to both families who have never given up hope," Inspector Dennis said.

The families of the two teenagers were disappointed with the coronial finding in 2014.

Despite an extensive police investigation involving the Missing Persons Squad, the pair were never found.'

Conflicting theories at inquest

'The circumstances around the disappearance of the teens has gripped the Bendigo community for decades.

There have been several conspiracy theories about the pair.

But Deputy State Coroner Iain West officially found it was likely the teens met with foul play the night they disappeared.

During the inquest, witnesses recounted seeing bodies being placed into a well at the former home of the Braddy family.

But the police investigation did not support this theory.

Detectives determined the information was not strong enough to warrant a search and the cost would be too great.

Some family members have long said they were prepared to pay for a search themselves.'

'Police also suggested someone in the Bendigo community held the key to solving this case.

In 2014, Coroner West also noted the highly suspicious behaviour of Maureen Braddy's father Stanley Braddy around the time of the teens' disappearance.

Mr Braddy has said previously at the inquest he believed the duo was kidnapped and were still alive.

The coroner said Mr Braddy's evidence was self-serving and selective.

"I found him an unreliable witness, who had no interest in assisting either my inquiry or that of police," Mr West said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online.'

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Family still searching for clues 50 years after disappearance of Maureen Braddy in Bendigo
ABC CENTRAL VICTORIA
STEPHANIE CORSETTI
40 MINUTES AGO (as at 13:55 AEDT 11 January 2018)

‘The family of a missing teenager last seen in central Victoria 50 years ago has not given up its fight for justice.

The sisters of Maureen Braddy, who disappeared when she was 16, have not given up hope half a century after she went missing with friend Allan Whyte.

The family of the missing teen has been disappointed a $1 million reward has not led to significant developments in cracking the cold case.

It has been 12 months since Victoria Police unveiled the financial reward for information into the 1968 disappearance of Maureen and Allan, 17, in Bendigo.

This year marks the 50th anniversary since the pair were last seen leaving a dance on Mundy Street.

A Victorian coroner ruled in 2014 they likely met with foul play.

Maureen's sister Debra MacDonell said people were still frightened to come forward, despite the financial incentive.

"We have to be proactive and we were told that by police," she said.

"We as a family, as a group, we have to keep this alive."

Ms MacDonell has questioned how serious police are about the investigation.

"It's a 50-year-old case. Can I say, are they really interested?" she said.

"Not impressed at all.".

Family continues search for answers

Half a century later, the family has been continuing its own search for answers, and recently found two potential new witnesses.

Ms MacDonell's daughter-in-law Jodie McDonnell said two women may have clues to help piece together what happened.

"We found a lady that said she spoke to Maureen and Allan on the night at the dance," Jodie MacDonell said.

"She overheard their conversation that they were planning to run away."

She said that witness had gone to police, but the family only became aware of a second witness just before Christmas.

"We found another lady that says she had seen Maureen and Allan going home on the tram after the dance," she said.

"So they are two pretty significant finds I think.

"We could never sort of prove that they actually made it home. Everyone reports that they went missing from the dance," Jodie MacDonell said.’

‘The family has been pushing for years for police to look inside a well at the Braddy family's former Bendigo home.

During a coronial inquest into the case, Ms Ireland gave evidence that she saw a bloodied body the night the pair went missing.

But detectives determined there was not enough information to warrant a search of the well.

Jodie MacDonell has again asked police to check, in case there was a murder weapon inside.

Police have already told the family they do not plan on pursuing a search of the well.’

Read more at:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-...-answers-maureen-braddy-disappearance/9322920
 
No Cookies | Herald Sun

A photograph of two teenagers taken in Geelong in 1968 could help unlock the secret to a haunting missing persons cold case.

A decades-old photo potentially holds answers in one of Victoria’s most haunting cold cases.

Missing persons squad detectives investigating the 1968 disappearance from Bendigo of teenage friends Maureen Braddy and Allan Whyte have gone public to work out who is in the picture.

The image, taken at Geelong in 1968, shows a young male and female.
 
Mysterious photo surfaces resembling missing teens from 52 years ago

Maureen's sister Lyn Ireland has not accepted the haunting image was the pair.

"I'm telling you it's not them, they're dead," Ms Ireland said.

"They look similar but we know it's not them.

Jodie MacDonell, who is married to Maureen's nephew, said several other family members are shocked by the photo surfacing now, but also not convinced it was the pair.

Ms MacDonell added despite the families' doubts, she was glad to see the photo has given the case new exposure.

"We don't believe it's them but if it puts their case back out into the spotlight, that can only be a good thing.
 
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