Cheryl Grimmer: Prosecutors consider reopening cold case disappearance
BBC World
February 23, 2026
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Australian prosecutors are considering reopening the decades-old disappearance of Cheryl Grimmer, a British girl who vanished at just three years old in 1970. The decision comes after new evidence was brought forward by her family, who have long campaigned for justice. Cheryl disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach in Wollongong, New South Wales, with no leads ever identified despite extensive searches. A suspect was charged with her abduction and murder in 2017, but his trial collapsed when his teenage confession was deemed inadmissible. He continues to deny any involvement.
The family’s persistence has paid off after years of advocating for a fresh investigation. Following public pressure, the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions agreed to review the case, even though the normal time limit for such requests had expired. A letter from Sally Dowling to the Grimmer family confirmed that authorities are now willing to consider the new evidence provided by police in 2019 or wait for detectives to analyze the “fresh” information offered by the family.
Cheryl’s story is a deeply personal one, rooted in her family’s migration from Bristol to Australia as part of the Ten Pound Poms scheme. On the day she vanished, Cheryl was last seen running giggling into the ladies’ changing rooms while her older brother Ricki Nash was tasked with overseeing his younger siblings. When they returned 90 seconds later, she had disappeared without a trace. The family has argued that numerous missteps by NSW authorities contributed to the lack of progress in finding Cheryl.
The case has gained significant attention due to its longevity and the emotional impact on her family. A parliamentary inquiry into unsolved murders and missing persons in NSW will also examine Cheryl’s disappearance later this year, offering another opportunity for transparency and accountability. For those following cases of long-term missing persons or legal misconduct, Cheryl’s story highlights the importance of persistence and the potential for uncovering justice after years of silence.
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/23/2026