Searches at Yatina re Ratcliffe/Gordon disappearance
Channel: SA Police News
Date: 2014-09-18

Detective Inspector Greg Hutchins speaks to the media regarding police searches at Yatina in the north of South Australia regarding the 1973 disappearance of Kirste Gordon and Joanne Ratcliffe. Read more below:

South Australia Police investigating the 1973 disappearance of Joanne Ratcliffe and Kirste Gordon have been re-examining sites in the State's mid-north.

This week Major Crime Detectives, with the help of STAR Group officers and forensic investigators have inspected several sites at Yatina, including two wells.

Over the last 12 months Detectives have visited Yatina on a number of occasions to re-examine a line of inquiry in relation to the girls' disappearance.  

In that time police have been excavating one of the wells however, nothing of importance has been found.

Forensic Sciences of SA (FSSA) and staff from South Australian Ambulance Service along with the State Emergency Service (SES) have assisted with the searches.

Detective Inspector Greg Hutchins explained these searches are the result of a call to Crime Stoppers and the culmination of information police have gathered over time.

"The previous occupant of the Yatina property is one of a number of people who have been linked to the girls' disappearance over the years, but to date police have been unable to substantiate his involvement," he said.

"The man has previously been interviewed by Detectives, but died in 1999.

"I stress that the current owners of the property being searched are in no way involved in the girls' disappearance.

"Police are keeping an open mind of who may have been involved and won't rule anyone in or out.

"To date no evidence has been found at the well site, so there's a possibility the man who owned the property years ago may not be responsible for girls' disappearance.

"This search is about finalising one line of inquiry.

"Considerable time and resources have been committed to these searches as police have undertaken to never give up the hunt for the girls' remains and their abductor.

"The search and excavation process has been extremely slow due to safety concerns.

"Detectives haven't ruled out returning to Yatina," he said.

Police have never stopped looking for Joanne and Kirste, who disappeared from Adelaide Oval more than 40 years ago.

On 25 August, 1973 the pair – Joanne, aged 11, and Kirste, who was just four-years-old – were at a SANFL game at the Oval with their families. The older girl took the younger to the toilet during the game and they disappeared.

They were last seen towards the end of the match near the southern gates of the oval, and witnesses reported they may have been seen later with an unknown man near Port Rd, Thebarton.

Since that day more than 2000 lines of inquiry have been followed by investigators. A million dollar reward is on offer by the SA Government for information leading to the conviction of the person responsible for their disappearance and likely murder.

The investigation identified that the girls may have been forcibly removed from the Oval by a man thought to be aged in his 40's. 

Police are again appealing for anyone with information about the case to come forward. 

Information can be given by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at https://sa.crimestoppers.com.au