$500k reward for info about singer’s death
Written by admin on October 22, 2024
Police have offered a $500,000 reward for information about the death of a woman whose body was found in a dam hundreds of kilometres from her Newcastle home.
Singer Cecilia Devine, also known as Kristen Pearson, was reported missing in September 2018 after her family and friends were unable to locate her.
A police investigation into Ms Devine’s disappearance proved unsuccessful.
The 41-year-old woman’s body was found six months later by staff at a water treatment facility in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
Strike Force Eking was established to investigate Ms Devine’s death with detectives from the Blue Mountains Police Area Command and the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad.
Detectives pursued multiple leads and made public appeals for information, but the circumstances of her death remain unknown.
Commander of Blue Mountains Police Area Command, Superintendent John Nelson, said he hoped this reward would encourage anyone to come forward who may have seen Ms Devine.
“Prior to her disappearance, Cecilia travelled from Newcastle to Katoomba yet we still don’t have firm evidence of how she got here, why she made the journey, or how she died,” he said.
“We are urging anyone who saw Cecilia at the time she was reported missing, or who has any information about her whereabouts at the time, to contact police.
“This information could very well be the missing puzzle piece for this investigation.
“Today’s coronial findings have handed the investigation back to police and we are committed to find the answers the NSW community and Cecilia’s family deserve.”
The NSW deputy state coroner Elizabeth Ryan found it regrettable police did not obtain CCTV footage that may have contained clues about the woman’s death.
Ms Ryan said it was possible Ms Devine was murdered in the area where her body was located in a dam near Katoomba, but there was not enough evidence to determine if she died by misadventure or was killed.
“As to the possibility of misadventure, a significant mystery remains,” she said.
“How was it that Cecilia came to be in the area of the Upper Cascade Dam at that time, assuming that she had gone there voluntarily?
“There is no evidence that she was familiar with this place, or that it had any particular significance for her.”
Ms Devine’s mother Kathy Pearson said her daughter was much loved who was taken from her family and friends too soon in terrible circumstances.
“She was a talented singer and songwriter, with a sparkling smile, infectious laugh, and a big heart,” she said.
“We hope that this reward encourages anyone with information to come forward and help the police to provide answers and peace of mind to our family,” she said.
Investigations under Strike Force Eking continue.
