Australia's coastal disappearances: Hunt for elusive killer?
On the northern coast of Australia, many women have gone missing over the years. Jeremy Buckingham, a member of the Green Party, has publicly suggested that the "worst serial killer in nation's history" might be responsible for their fate and is still at large. His statement has shaken public sentiment, prompting demands for decisive action.
In 1977, 21-year-old Narelle Cox disappeared while hitchhiking from Grafton to Noosa in Australia. Witnesses last saw her leaving a lorry in Brunswick Heads, just 18 kilometres (about 11 miles) from Byron Bay. She has not been seen since, and the case remains unsolved.
Cox was one of many women who have disappeared in the area over the years. From the 1970s to 2009, numerous disappearances and unexplained murders have been recorded. Buckingham emphasises that what happened there might be the work of a serial killer, who remains elusive.
There is someone on the north coast that has murdered as many or more, and they are still amongst us, if they haven’t died or fled the country, the politician warned during an emotional speech.
Is this the work of one killer?
Buckingham referenced the case of Ivan Milat, one of Australia's most brutal serial killers, responsible for seven murders. He suggested that someone equally dangerous might be operating on the northern coast.
There is every indication that someone operated in that area, travelled that area, lived across that area, and took women, destroyed their bodies, destroyed their lives, added the politician.
Although a police spokesperson officially stated that there is no conclusive evidence confirming the actions of a single perpetrator, Buckingham stands by his position.
It is impossible to think that there are 67 murderers that have escaped justice in that area from North Coast to the Tweed Heads – all individuals. Someone has done these things repeatedly, he argued.
Buckingham has petitioned Parliament to disclose documents related to unsolved cases within 21 days. This petition was approved on 23rd October, meaning the police must make some archival files available.
Fear among women. Stories from social media
The case has stirred discussion on social media, and women have started sharing their stories. In one TikTok post, user @heykayley described a recent terrifying experience in Byron Bay where she claimed she was almost abducted.
The man just felt so experienced in what he was doing. I couldn’t believe how quickly he ran up on me and how quietly, and how prepared he was. It was like I was being hunted, she recalled anxiously.
