What happened to Cecilia Devine? Police ramp up investigation into cold case of singer’s naked body found in a dam five years ago
A $500,000 reward has been offered to solve the mystery surrounding the death of a woman whose naked body was found naked in a dam 200km from home.
The remains of Cecilia Devine, also known as Kristen Pearson, were found on March 19, 2019, at a water treatment plant for the Upper Cascade Creek Dam in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
The 42-year-old singer and songwriter was living and working in Newcastle, north of Sydney, at the time.
She was last seen shopping at Coles and withdrawing money from an ATM in Katoomba six months earlier.
CCTV footage from September 6, 2018 showed Ms Devine wearing a bright yellow vest, black trousers and an orange handbag.
Despite extensive investigations, police have been unable to determine what happened to her, but are treating her death as suspicious.
An inquest held earlier this year found Ms Devine died sometime between September 6 and 13, 2018, but could not determine how she died.
On Tuesday, coronial findings returned the investigation to police, who renewed their public appeal and announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Cecilia Devine’s remains were found in March 2019 at a water treatment plant for the Upper Cascade Creek Dam
The last known image of Ms Devine taken by CCTV in the Blue Mountains town of Katoomba on September 6, 2018
Chief Inspector John Nelson hopes the reward will encourage anyone who saw Cecilia to come forward.
“Before her disappearance, Cecilia traveled from Newcastle to Katoomba, but we still have no clear evidence of how she got here, why she made the journey or how she died,” Supt Nelson said.
“We are urging anyone who may have seen Cecilia at the time she was reported missing, or who has information about her whereabouts at the time, to contact police.
‘This information could very well be the missing piece of the puzzle for this investigation.
“We are committed to finding the answers the NSW community and Cecilia’s family deserve.”
A coronial inquest held earlier this year found that Cecilia Devine died between September 6 and 13, 2018
Ms Devine’s mother, Kathy Pearson, welcomed the stepped-up investigation.
“Cecilia – who was also known as Kristen – was a beloved daughter, sister and friend who was taken from us too soon and under terrible circumstances,” she said.
She was a talented singer and songwriter, with a sparkling smile, infectious laugh and a big heart.
“We hope this reward will encourage anyone with information to come forward and help police provide answers and peace of mind to our family,” she said.
The investigation led by Strike Force Eking continues.