Stacey Lee Kirk

IT'S a murder that has gone unsolved for almost two decades.
No one has ever been found guilty of the sexual assault and strangulation of young schoolgirl Stacey Lee Kirk at the Maitland Show in February 1984.
Her family has endured several police investigations, an inquest and eventually the case against a showman charged with Stacey's murder was dismissed because of a lack of evidence.

But recent improvements in DNA profiling have given detectives vital new information in the hunt for the killer of the 16-year-old.
Yesterday strike force Shyok detectives renewed appeals for people with information to come forward.
Detective senior sergeant Alex Pollock said police had received fresh information from the public regarding the murder.
Sgt Pollock said he hoped a new $100,000 reward the NSW Government posted would encourage other people to come forward.
Stacey Lee's body was found under a tarpaulin at Maitland Showground on February 19, 1984. The Tenambit schoolgirl had been sexually assaulted, her underpants had been stuffed in her mouth and a pair of men's underpants were tied around her neck.
A post mortem later revealed she had been strangled.
Stacey Lee was last seen alive at the show by her friends about 9.30pm on February 16.
She walked away from the shooting gallery towards the toilets but did not meet them at 10pm at the showground gates as agreed.
Earlier, Stacey Lee and her friends had joked with itinerant show workers in sideshow alley. Her body was found two days later.
A 1988 inquest into the murder handed down an open verdict.
In 1991, travelling show stall operator Richard Stevens, 32, from Mascot, was charged with the crime.
In November 1991, the charge against Stevens was dismissed after three witnesses refused to support their statements in court.

 - Frances O'Shea (28-2-2003)