Almost 40 years since her daughter went missing, Margaret Carver allowed herself a smile and a sense of hope on Monday as the tragic case of Annette Deverell's death was afforded some rare positive news.
As I sat with Mrs Carver, Mandurah MP David Templeman, Police Minister Michelle Roberts and Mandurah Mail journalist Carla Hildebrandt, you could see the local mother's gratitude.
As per our front page this week, the state government has stumped up a $250,000 reward for information as police look to finally find the person or people responsible for Annette's death.
There is little argument that this reward is well overdue.
However, despite Mrs Carver's fleeting relief that the cold case is finally being given the attention it deserves, the ultimate solace will be if the reward leads to tangible answers.
The journey of the Mail's four-part podcast on Annette's disappearance and death started 18 months ago. It involved painstaking research, countless interviews, some resistance and a lot of perseverance.
EPISODES:
The public reaction to the project has been overwhelmingly positive, showing that the Mandurah community is behind Mrs Carver and her family in their hope answers are forthcoming.
The proximity of the reward being posted to the podcast's release shows the importance and influence of quality local journalism.
Moving forward, here's hoping the police reward will propel Annette's cold case beyond being an important local issue in the Peel region and something that makes it into wider focus across Western Australia.
Finally, for anyone who has held onto information that could help police solve this case, now is the time to come forward and give Mrs Carver the answers she craves.
Gareth McKnight is the Mandurah Mail's editor.
Gareth McKnight
Gareth McKnight is Mandurah Mail's editor.
Gareth McKnight is Mandurah Mail's editor.
