THE brother of Kath Bergamin, a Wangaratta woman presumed murdered 20 years ago, is renewing his appeal for anyone with information about her disappearance to come forward so the mystery connected to his beloved sister can be solved.
Kath was last seen on the night of Sunday, August 18, 2002 at the Brien Crescent, Wangaratta home that she shared with a friend.
Police inspectors believe Kath was met with foul play on that August night, and this theory has been backed by a coronial finding.
Her brother Roger Russell has been living with the heartache of not knowing what happened to his sister for two decades and he is afraid as time goes by it could become more difficult to solve the crime as witnesses who know something about her disappearance pass on.
Speaking to the Wangaratta Chronicle this week, Mr Russell said "we're still not without hope of getting the whole thing resolved by the end of the year, and we might find out what actually happened".
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"Twenty years have passed now and this is very much close to our hearts in finding out what happened and we're not giving up," Mr Russell said adamantly.
In September 2020, police interviewed five people in connection with Kath's disappearance, however, all were released pending further enquiries.
DNA testing and forensic re–examination had also been conducted on a number of exhibits found at Kath's home.
"After the arrests that were made almost two years ago, we're still waiting for something to come out of that," Mr Russell said.
"We hope the case gets up now because I don't think there will be any more evidence and it's up to the police who they want to charge."
Detective Acting Inspector Tony Combridge, officer in charge of the Missing Persons Squad, said they continue to appeal for information as part of their investigation into Kath's disappearance.
"While two decades may have passed, detectives have not given up hope of finding Kath and determining who is responsible for her death," Det Act Insp Combridge said.
"We are committed to solving this case and providing some comfort and closure to Kath's loved ones and community.
"Our thoughts are with Kath's family and friends on this anniversary and we acknowledge the grief and sadness they continue to feel 20 years after her disappearance.
"It is our hope that one day we are able to provide them with the answers they so deeply deserve."
A coronial inquiry held in Wangaratta in 2007 concluded Kath Bergamin was taken from or otherwise forced to leave her Brien Crescent residence in Wangaratta sometime between 7.26pm and approximately 11.15pm on Sunday, 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.
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.
Anyone with information is urged to contact crime stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppers.com.au.
