Police are appealing for public assistance to locate Rita Collin as part of this year’s ‘Answers Still Matter’ Missing Persons Week 2026.
Rita-Marie Collin, aged 60, was last seen walking south on Woy Woy Road, in the vicinity of Geoffrey Joseph Close, Kariong, about 10.45am on Tuesday 5 May 2026.
She is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, of slim build with blonde hair and green eyes.
Rita-Marie was last seen wearing denim jeans, a denim style jacket with a black t-shirt underneath, and was carrying a white bag.
Despite extensive inquiries, including multi-agency searches of bushland and several public appeals for information, Rita-Marie has not yet been located.
On Wednesday 17 June 2026, officers attached to Brisbane Water Police District – assisted by the Dog Unit – conducted a further search in bushland along Woy Woy Road.
Detectives continue to appeal for dashcam footage from the area around 10.45am on Tuesday 5 May 2026.
Rita’s daughter, Amy Collin, said until her mother is found, the family will continue searching and holding out hope.
“To the world she may be a missing person, but to us she is Mum – a wife, daughter, sister, grandmother and friend. She is loved, she is missed, and we think about her every single day,” Amy said.
“We wake up each day wanting answers, wanting to know where she is, and wanting to bring her home.
“Please don’t let another day pass without coming forward if you know something. Even the smallest detail could help us find Mum and give our family the clarity we’ve been desperately waiting for.”
Missing Persons Week is an annual national campaign to raise awareness of the issues and impacts surrounding missing persons and runs between Sunday 2 August and Saturday 8 August 2026.
This year’s ‘Answers Still Matter’ campaign highlights the unwavering commitment of investigators to uncovering the truth for families seeking closure and communities wanting clarity.
Detective Inspector Paul Fenwick, Missing Persons Registry said investigators hold serious concerns for Rita’s welfare.
“Rita-Marie has now been missing for three months, and despite extensive searches and public appeals, her whereabouts remain unknown,” Det Insp Fenwick said.
“Multiple coordinated searches have been conducted across bushland in Kariong and along Woy Woy Road, but without new information, the investigation cannot move forward. We are asking anyone who recognises her description or recalls seeing her that morning to contact police.
For more information on the campaign, visit: www.missingpersons.gov.au
For more information on Rita Collin, visit: https://www.missingpersons.gov.au/search/nsw/rita-marie-collin
Anyone with information about Rita Collin is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
