A Man Detained Three Decades After Pauline Sowry’s Disappearance from Wollongong in New South Wales

Pauline Sowry, also known as Pauline Lawrence, a 49-year-old mother from New South Wales, went missing in December 1993. Her disappearance remains unsolved despite a 2008 coronial inquest ruling that she likely died following an unconfirmed sighting in 1994. Recently, a man in his 60s was arrested at a unit in Gywnneville in relation to her disappearance. The investigation into Sowry’s case was reopened three years ago, leading to a $500,000 reward announcement in March last year. Pauline’s son, Jason Lawrence, expressed relief at the news of the arrest, emphasizing the long wait for justice and the toll of her disappearance on their family. NSW police have conducted numerous searches since 2022, yielding traces of clothing that could be linked to Sowry but not confirmed. Southern region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar commended the persistence of his officers in pursuing this case and is committed to solving it.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/29/pauline-sowry-1993-disappearance-man-arrested-wollongong-ntwnfb