Vic: Woman s disappearance baffling but death assumed coroner

AAP General News (Australia)
08-14-2000
Vic: Woman s disappearance baffling but death assumed coroner

A coroner has found the disappearance of a Melbourne woman five-and-a-half years ago
remains a mystery -- although she can now be assumed dead.

Victorian Coroner JACINTA HEFFEY has found that ELISABETH FRANCES MEMBREY, aged 22,
died on or about December 7, 1994 from an unknown cause.

Ms MEMBREY had worked a shift at Ringwood's Manhattan Hotel as a bar assistant on the
evening before her death.

She was seen talking with a man during a break in her shift and was described by co-workers
as normal and jovial.

Ms MEMBREY signed off at 11.45pm and arrived home safely, but a neighbour heard a loud
bang some time after 12.30am.

Alarm over Ms MEMBREY'S disappearance was raised by her family and the case became
a formal homicide inquiry on December 13.

There were no signs of forced entry and a weapon wasn't located, but blood likely to
be Ms MEMBREY'S was found in her unit and car.

Ms HEFFEY says the police investigation into the baffling case had been extensive.

The state government has offered a reward of $100,000 for evidence leading to the crime
being solved.

AAP RTV imc/ra/nf/jn

KEYWORD: MEMBREY (MELBOURNE)

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