Carmel GIANNASCA

Tuesday, February  19, 2002 . Posted: 11:42:54 (AEDT) - ABC

Police investigate young mother's disappearance

Detectives investigating the disappearance of a young mother more than a month ago from her Sydney home say they now hold grave fears for her safety.

Police say 32-year-old Carmel Giannasca's husband did not report his wife's disappearance for three weeks but has now told officers they had had an argument and she left home.

He has told police she packed some suitcases, took some money and left the family's home in Gladesville in a green Holden Commodore on January 14.

Superintendent Arthur Katsogiannis says police are concerned because Mrs Giannasca has not contacted any of her relatives or friends.

"It is certainly unusual for a female to go missing and not contact any relatives or friends and not be seen by anybody else," he said.

Fears for mother who vanished after row

By Les Kennedy March 5 2003  - SMH

Carmel Giannasca has two children, a daughter now aged 10 from her first marriage and a son aged four from her second marriage. Her family says she doted on both children and would never leave them. Yet at 7am on January 14 last year, after an argument with her husband John at their home in Albert Street, Gladesville, she walked out and has not been seen since. Police inquiries have taken on the status of a potential homicide and Mrs Giannasca's father, Ross La Spina, fears the worst. "Carmel would ring me every day without fail," Mr La Spina said from his home in Mackay, Queensland. "She has not phoned since. She would never do this even to her children, never leave them." Mr La Spina said his 32-year-old daughter could be headstrong, but insisted she was "an excellent mother". He last saw her in Sydney on January 8 at his father's funeral. "She was grieving for her grandfather, but she was fine," Mr La Spina said. When he returned to Mackay after two weeks' holiday, she had left her Gladesville home and her mobile phone had been disconnected. A week later he spoke to her husband at his parents' home in Putney. He revealed she had left three weeks earlier after a row saying she was heading for Mackay. She had packed some clothes, taken some money and driven off in their dark green Commodore. The vehicle was later found in Parkway Avenue, in the Newcastle beachside suburb of Merewether. The head of the investigation, Detective Senior Constable Matt Moss, said a witness had seen a man leave the car after a grey-haired man in his 50s drove up in a silver Ford Falcon. "The two spoke briefly and after the older man left in the Ford, the first man got out of the Commodore and walked off towards Union Street," he said. Senior Constable Moss said Mrs Giannasca's bank account had not been touched. "Her disappearance is completely out of character and we hold genuine concerns for her welfare," he said. Police have released computer generated images of two men seen near her car in Merewether. Anyone with information is asked to contact Strike Force Water Beach, at Gladesville Police on 98799636 or Crime Stoppers on 1800333000.

Com-Fits And Number Plate Could Be Clues To Disappearance Of Carmel Giannasca
5/03/2003

Detectives investigating the disappearance of Carmel Giannasca from Gladesville in January last year, today renewed their appeal for information by releasing the reproduction of a number plate from the car Mrs Giannasca was last seen driving. Detective Sergeant Matt Moss from the State Crime Command Homicide Squad said Mrs Giannasca's 1996 dark green Holden Commodore sedan has since been sold and the original number plates destroyed. "A new number plate has been made in the hope of someone coming forward who might recognise the car. The registration number of the car is TVN-835," Detective Sergeant Moss said. Strike Force Waterbeach has been investigating the disappearance of Carmel Giannasca who was reported missing from her home in Albert Street, Gladesville, by her husband on Wednesday 6 February 2002. Det Sgt Moss said police have been given information that Mrs Giannasca's car was last seen being driven by a man o! n the 30th January 2002, and was parked in Parkway Avenue at Merewether, near Newcastle. "A second car driven by another man arrived shortly after. Both men left in this car."We are briefing the Coroner regularly in relation to our investigation, as we believe Mrs Giannasca has met with foul play. Her bank accounts have not been accessed, she did not take any medication with her, which she requires for pain relief and anxiety." The behaviour of Mrs Giannasca is completely out of character as the relationship between her, and her nine-year-old daughter was extremely close. Det Sgt Moss said two men who might be able to assist with information about the disappearance of Mrs Giannasca are described as 40-45-years-old, 170cm, medium build, olive complexion and grey/black hair. The second man is about 50-years-old, 179cm, medium build, grey hair and olive complexion. "Both men were last seen driving away from Parkway Avenue at Merewether on or about the 30 January last year." Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers immediately on toll free 1800 333 000 or Strike Force Waterbeach on 9879 9636," Det Sgt Moss said.

THE friend of a Sydney mother who disappeared without a trace a year ago has made an emotional appeal to anyone who could assist police.
Carmel Giannasca, a 33-year-old mother of two, was last seen at her home in Gladesville, in Sydney's north-west, on January 14 last year. Her long-time friend Pina Ball today pleaded for any information. "Please, from the bottom of my heart, if someone knows or has seen Carmel, or knows anything, please contact police," Ms Ball told reporters today. "We are very unsettled not knowing what happened to Carmel ... we can't rest until we know where she is." Police said Mrs Giannasca's dark green 1995 Holden Commodore was found in the Newcastle suburb of Merewether several week after her disappearance. "At this stage it does look grave," NSW Police Detective Inspector Dave Stinson said today. "There's been no activity on her bank accounts or any phone calls to family or friends." Mrs Giannasca was described as being of Mediterranean appearance, 175cm tall, thin in build, with long dark brown/chestnut coloured hair. Anyone with information should contact Gladesville detectives on 9879 9699 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.