New Zealand - Amber-Lee Cruickshank, 2, Kingston, 17 Oct 1992

Amber-Lee Cruickshank: Gripping new podcast lifts lid on ‘girl by the lake’ cold case
news.com.au
OCTOBER 29, 2017 4:52pm


Amber-Lee Cruickshank went missing in 1992.Source:Supplied

‘SHE became known as the little girl by the lake.

Standing at the shores of one of New Zealand’s most stunning vistas, two-year-old Amber-Lee Cruickshank was happy child who loved playing outside.

Her family had gone to Kingston, on the southern shores of Lake Wakatipu, near tourist magnet Queenstown, for a day out. That day, October 17, 1992, changed their lives forever.

Amber-Lee’s parents lost sight of her for just a few moments — and so began one of New Zealand’s most gripping mysteries.’

Read more at:

http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/re...e/news-story/31c09a974c8a7e403be1a099f17c8935

Help bring Amber-Lee home - Herald podcast series delves into 25-year-old cold case
Anna Leask
Senior Police Reporter
New Zealand Herald
26 Oct, 2017 5:00am

‘A missing girl and a grieving mother.

A dark underbelly of drugs and gangs.

Theories, suspects and 25 years without answers.

But a new podcast series by the New Zealand Herald aims to bring a new focus to one of our most mysterious missing person cases.’

Read more at:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11932821

Related:

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/indepth/national/the-disappearance-of-Amber-Lee-Cruickshank/

I'm listening to the podcast now.

Link to the podcast:
Help bring Amber-Lee home - Herald podcast series delves into 25-year-old cold case

Bumping for Amber-Lee as we approach the 28th anniversary of her disappearance...

APR 13, 2021
$100,000 reward offered 29 years after toddler Amber-Lee Cruickshank disappeared | Stuff.co.nz
[...]

Police have dismissed theories that she went into the lake, as her body would have been found shortly afterwards.

[...]

They were moving to the West Coast from Southland in a house bus, but a window broke on the journey, so they stopped at a friend’s home to repair it.

Nicky Cruickshank told Stuff in 2017 that she was 24 at the time and trying to leave behind a life of abuse, violence and drugs.

A small group had gathered at the home in Cornwall St, Kingston, for a barbecue.

Amber-Lee’s parents each thought the other was watching the toddler, but in less than 20 minutes she had disappeared.

[...]


A police identikit picture of Amber-Lee Cruickshank.


Amber-Lee Cruickshank playing on her tractor.

[...]

In Amber-Lee’s case, the reward of up to $100,000 was for material information or evidence that led to the identity and conviction of any person or people responsible for her disappearance.

It would remain in force for six months.

Immunity from prosecution may be considered for any accomplice, not being the main offender, who provided information or evidence.

[...]

Also see:

• Police offer $100k reward in search of information about the disappearance of Amber-Lee Cruickshank | RNZ News
• $100,000 reward and immunity offered for information into missing toddler Amber-Lee Cruickshank | Daily Mail Online

Nicola Cruickshank said she had never given up hope her daughter - who would have turned 31 on May 5 - would be found.

"We have done everything possible and within our power to find the answers.

"I feel this reward is our last resort."

"We are begging you to come forward and do the right thing," she implored. Put an end to this nightmare and bring Amber-Lee home - where she belongs. She deserves that much at least."
Southland toddler cold case: Police offer $100k reward, immunity

For Amber-Lee's mother Nicky Cruickshank, her daughter's disappearance 29 years ago is still as raw today as it was back then. On Tuesday, she made an appeal.

"I'm asking you from the bottom of my heart, I'm begging you to please give us the answers we are looking for," she says.

Her hopes for information were boosted on Tuesday now Police are offering a substantial reward.

"The reward is $100,000 and it's for any material information or evidence that will lead to the identity and conviction of a person in relation to the Amber-Lee Cruickshank disappearance," says Detective Inspector Stu Harvey of the Southern District Police.
Mother of Amber-Lee Cruickshank begs for information over toddler's mystery disappearance

Although it is highly likely that Amber-Lee is no longer with us, seeing that she is a pretty little blonde girl, one can only hope that she was stolen to provide a barren woman with a child and that Amber is still alive. imo, speculation.
April 13 2021 rbbm.
Chasing Ghosts: Calls coming in to police after $100K reward offered in Amber-Lee Cruickshank cold case - NZ Herald

The last photo of Amber-Lee Cruickshank and her family a day before she went missing. Photo / Supplied

''Police announced yesterday they will pay up to $100,000 for material information or evidence which leads to the identity and conviction of any person or people responsible for Amber-Lee's disappearance.

And they will consider immunity from prosecution for any "accomplice" who provides information or evidence to police as long as they are not the "main offender".

''You can listen to the series on nzherald.co.nz and your usual apps.

If you have information, contact police on 105 and reference Operation Oliver: 921030/2144.''

29 Apr, 2021
Amber-Lee Cruickshank cold case: Police receive more than 50 tip-offs after 100K reward - NZ Herald

Amber-Lee Cruickshank. Photo / Supplied

''More than 50 tip-offs have been received about missing toddler Amber-Lee Cruickshank, two weeks after police offered a large reward.

Police announced on April 13 that they were offering a $100,000 reward for information or evidence leading to the identity and conviction of anyone responsible for the 2-year-old's disappearance.

Amber-Lee was last seen on October 17, 1992 at a Cornwall St property in Kingston, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.''

I hope her family finally gets answers.

I've just visited Kingston and learned of Amber-Lee when I saw her memorial at the park. Yesterday marks 30 years since her disappearance.

NOV 15, 2022
A fresh Cold Case episode revisiting the disappearance of toddler Amber-Lee Cruickshank has led to police receiving multiple calls from people with information, they say.

[...]

The show aired on TVNZ last night and revealed detectives are “desperately” wanting to speak to a person who gave information anonymously in 2010.

[...]

“We received information from a credible source that one of the residents from Kingston may have some knowledge or even possible involvement in the disappearance,” Kean said.

[...]

With this new information, detectives have turned their focus back to a person of interest from the area who was at the house on the day Amber-Lee went missing, saying there are inconsistencies in the man’s statements.

“In his first statement he stated that he didn’t see Amber-Lee when he arrived at the address, in his second statement he talked about seeing her playing with the dog in front of the bus,” Detective Stuart Harvey said.

“Clearly we can’t have it both ways.”




Where’s Amber-Lee Cruickshank?

Clothes similar to those worn by Amber-Lee the day she vanished.
Amber-Lee’s disappearance is one of New Zealand’s most

Amber-Lee’s disappearance is one of New Zealand’s most enduring mysteries. However, in 2021 when Police offered a $100,000 reward, over 70 calls were received with tips and information, proving that it’s never too late to progress a cold case.

NOV 16, 2022
Police investigating the disappearance 30 years ago of two-year-old Amber-Lee Cruickshank are focussing on a man who was at the lakeside house from which she vanished.

[...]

One piece of information from a credible source led police to look at the actions of a Kingston man who was at the house at the time.


GEORGE HEARD/STUFF The Kingston house where Amber-Lee and her family were staying when she disappeared, in 1992.

Detective Inspector Stuart Harvey said the man had given inconsistent information to police.

[...]

“That doesn’t mean to say that he’s responsible for Amber-Lee’s abduction, but it certainly creates a situation where we need to dig further into those statements to ascertain exactly what is the truth or what he saw and what happened when he arrived at the address.”