South Australia Police would like to clarify speculation by some media outlets in relation to the disappearance of 11-year-old Joanne Ratcliffe and four-year-old Kirstie Jane Gordon 50 years ago.
The girls were last seen at SANFL football match between North Adelaide and Norwood at the Adelaide Oval on Saturday, 25 August 1973. They were last seen leaving the John Cresswell Stand to go to the toilet at the rear of the stand during the late stages of the third quarter of the game.
A witness who was selling confectionary at the oval saw a male person pick up and carry a small young girl which caused with another older girl to tug at the male’s arm. At the time they were leaving the ground via the southern gates. The witness provided a description of a male he saw and an identikit sketch was prepared in relation to that description.
Major Crime’s Detective Inspector Mark McEachern said the investigation into the abductions and suspected murders of the girls is ongoing. The suspicion remains that the male seen leaving with the two girls is the offender in this matter.
“In the 50 years that has passed, police have conducted thousands of lines of enquiry into the disappearance of the girls. Unfortunately, the investigation remains unsolved.”
In 2019 Major Crime detectives travelled to Queensland to continue enquiries regarding a male person who was incarcerated in prison for other matters. The male declined to take part in an interview. Major Crime also conducted a search at an address in the western suburbs previously connected with that male however no evidence relating to the disappearances was located.
As with other persons of interest in this matter the male was unable to be incriminated or eliminated from the investigation.
The identity of the offender remains unknown at this time.
There remains a $1million reward on offer if information leads to the conviction of the person or people for the murder of Joanne and Kirstie, or for information leading to the recovery of the bodies.
If anyone has information about this investigation, they should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestopperssa.com.au – you can remain anonymous.
