Major twist in cold case search for bodies of two innocent teenage girls missing for decades as detectives dig up old Scout camp
Detectives searching for the remains of two missing girls have begun digging up an old Scout hall, just days after million-dollar rewards were issued for new information.
Robyn Hickie, 18, and Amanda Robinson, 14, disappeared in 1979 just two weeks apart in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW and have not been heard from since.
In April 2019, detectives established Strike Force Arapaima to re-examine the investigation into the unsolved disappearances and suspected murders of the missing teenagers.
On Wednesday police used heavy machinery at a former Scout camp at Nords Wharf, south of Swansea, and ground penetrating radar will be used on Thursday when the search continues.
Amanda Robinson was last seen walking along Lake Road, Swansea, on April 21, after attending a dance at her high school in Gateshead
'We would from time to time go on camps at Camp Kanangra at Nords Wharf, I know a person of interest who attended there with us ... yeah people who may be critical to what is taking place,' a former scout told NBN News.
Two $1million rewards were offered on Monday to possibly catch a serial predator who has been walking free for more than 40 years.
Robyn Hickie was 18 when she left her home about 7.15pm on April 7, 1979, and was last seen standing at a bus stop on the Pacific Highway, Belmont North.
A fortnight later 14-year-old Amanda Robinson was last seen walking along Lake Road, Swansea, on April 21, after attending a dance at her high school in Gateshead.
Despite extensive investigations no trace of the girls has been found.
A coronial inquest into their disappearances found that the teenagers were dead, most likely as a result of foul play.
On Wednesday police used heavy machinery at a former Scout camp at Nords Wharf, south of Swansea, and ground penetrating radar will be used on Thursday when the search continues for the missing girls
For decades it was believed notorious serial killer Ivan Milat was responsible as he was in the area at the time, but police have now ruled out that theory.
Instead they believe both girls were murdered by an unknown predator active in Lake Macquarie.
A third would-be victim came forward last year saying she escaped the clutches of a killer just a few kilometres away when she was 11.
Robyn Hickie , 18, and Amanda Robinson , 14, disappeared in 1979 just two weeks apart in the Lake Macquarie region of NSW and have not been heard from since
Detective Inspector Steve Benson hopes the rewards will encourage those who have been holding onto vital information since 1979 to reveal what they know to police.
'The disappearances of these teenagers triggered every parent's worst nightmare. The Hickie and Robinson families have been fighting for the truth for four decades, they deserve to know what happened to their girls,' he said.
Police Minister David Elliott said the new rewards should be sufficient incentive for those with information to come forward.
'If your conscience won't make you act, maybe $2 million will,' Mr Elliott said.