Cherylee MASTERS - tragically LOCATED deceased
| Name: | Sex: | Female | |
| Date of Birth: | 1981 | Age Now: | 24 |
| Age when missing: | 18 | Height (cm): | 160.0 | Build: | Solid |
| Hair Colour: | Fair | Eye Colour: | Blue | Complexion: | Fair |
| Nationality: | Australian | Racial Appearance: | Caucasian |
| Circumstances - Cherylee was last seen approximately September 2000 on the mid North Coast of New South Wales |
Skeletal remains identified as missing
teenager, investigations continue into death - Homicide Squad
2008-05-12 16:19:15
Skeletal remains found in a Mid North Coast forest in 2006 have been formally
identified, with Homicide Squad detectives continuing inquiries into the teenage
girl's suspicious death.
The remains were located by Australian Defence Force soldiers on an exercise in
the Yarratt State Forest, near Taree, late on the afternoon of Sunday 17
September.
The remains were found near a forest track and were subsequently taken to the
Department of Forensic Medicine in Newcastle for examination.
Meanwhile, crime scene examinations revealed indications of violence and led to
police establishing a strike force to investigate the death.
Strike Force Tooke has been continuing its inquiries into the suspicious death
and comprises detectives from the Homicide Squad, working with the Manning Great
Lakes Local Area Command.
Due to deterioration, the NSW Police Force sought the assistance of DNA experts
in New Orleans, in the United States of America, to help with confirming the
identity of the remains.
As a result, the Deputy State Coroner at Taree last week formally accepted the
identification of the remains as being Cherylee Masters.
Cherylee was aged 18 years when she was reported missing to police on 10 October
2000. She had last been seen by friends on 22 September 2000 in Albert Street,
Taree, telling them she intended travelling to the Maitland area.
Extensive inquiries were carried out into Cherylee's disappearance by officers
from the Manning Great Lakes Local Area Command.
Cherylee was known to frequently hitchhike around various areas of New South
Wales by obtaining lifts with truck drivers, but her movements after last being
seen by friends remain a mystery.
Detectives investigating her death are renewing their appeal for information
from members of the public who might have seen Cherylee between 22 September and
10 October 2000.
Inquiries into Cherylee's death are continuing and information can be provided
anonymously to Strike Force Tooke detectives via Crime Stoppers on 1800 333
000.
All information will be treated in the strictest confidence.
