Cold case hope

Police have renewed their call for public assistance to help solve a Wangaratta cold case. It is 23 years to the day since Kath Bergamin disappeared from her Brien Crescent home. Detective Acting Inspector Steve Trewavas of the Missing Persons Squad, said police believe 37-year-old Kath met with foul play, however her body has never been found. "Police have not given up hope of finding Kath and determining who is responsible for her death," he told the Wangaratta Chronicle. "We remain committed to solving this case and providing some comfort and closure to Kath’s loved ones and the local community. "Investigators understand how difficult this time of year is for Kath’s loved ones and we acknowledge the grief and sadness they continue to feel, even after over two decades. "It remains our hope that one day we are able to provide them with the answers they so deeply deserve." A $1 million reward remains on offer for information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for Kath’s murder. Kath's brother Roger Russell, who has vigorously pursued justice for his sister, said his family has not lost hope the case will be resolved. "We appreciate the effort police have put in and we still believe those responsible for Kath's disappearance and murder will face justice," he told the Chronicle. "Our mum died last year, aged 97, without seeing resolution in this case. "This is a cold case, but it's ongoing...and there is a long history of these sorts of cases eventually being resolved." Kath was last seen on the night of Sunday, 18 August 2002 at the Wangaratta home she shared with a friend. She had separated from her husband, with whom she had previously resided in the Cheshunt area with their three children, only months before her disappearance. A coronial inquiry in Wangaratta in 2008 concluded Kath was taken from or forced to leave her Brien Crescent residence in Wangaratta sometime between 7.26pm and 11.15pm on August 18, 2002 and at an unknown time and place she was unlawfully killed and her remains were secretly deposited in a still unknown location. Coroner Peter White found there was "insufficient evidence before the inquest to establish which person or persons were responsible for the unlawful killing of Kath Bergamin". In September 2020, police investigators interviewed five people in connection with Kath's disappearance, however all were released pending further enquiries. Det Act Insp Trewavas said the Missing Person Squad continues to appeal for information, no matter how small that piece of information may seem. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au.

Cold case hope

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