MANY people in the Wonthaggi community have carried a torch for missing local woman, Susan Goodwin, long after she disappeared in 2002, not the least of these being the late firebrand Sentinel-Times’ journalist Richard Schmeiszl.
At the encouragement of Susan’s late mother, Margaret Goodwin, Mr Schmeiszl published a number of articles appealing for information about Susan Goodwin over the years, but sadly, neither her mother, nor Schmeiszl lived long enough to hear news from the South Australian Police today, Wednesday, September 17.
Both Susan's father Don and mother Margaret died in 2017, maintaining the hope that their daughetr might still be found alive.
But a number of family members, still living in the Wonthaggi area will nonetheless be relieved, if terribly saddened again, by the news that the missing woman’s remains have been found and 64-year-old man Port Lincoln man charged with her murder.
Here’s what South Australian Police had to say today:
Late this afternoon, Wednesday, September 17, Major Crime Investigation Branch detectives have arrested and charged a man in connection with the 2002 murder of Port Lincoln woman Susan Goodwin, 39.
The breakthrough in the cold case was made late today following the discovery of human remains, believed to be those of Susan Goodwin, buried in the backyard of a Port Lincoln house.
A 64-year-old man from Port Lincoln has been charged with murder and will appear in Port Lincoln Magistrates Court tomorrow, Thursday, September 18.
Susan Goodwin was reported missing on Friday, July 19, 2002 from her home on Moonta Crescent at Port Lincoln.
Susan was last seen around lunchtime that day, after shopping at Coles and Woolworths in Port Lincoln. At about 4.45pm Susan's vehicle was found in the driveway of her home address.
Extensive searches in areas surrounding Port Lincoln over the past two decades have been unsuccessful in locating her remains.
The renewed search in recent days, with the assistance of Port Lincoln and Australian Federal Police officers, focused on a property in Pamir Court at Port Lincoln. The new search used specialised radar equipment provided by the AFP.
Early on Wednesday, initial excavations discovered bones that were examined by an anthropologist from Forensic Science SA. This examination confirmed they are human remains. Additional resources from SAPOL's Forensic Response Section and Major Crime Investigation Branch have travelled to Port Lincoln to continue investigations.
Major Crime Investigation Branch Acting Detective Superintendent Andrew Macrae said today's breakthrough followed an ongoing review of the cold case and all available evidence.
"It does not matter how old the case is, we will continue to review all available evidence and look for opportunities to resolve the matter," he said.
"This investigation is 23 years old and should provide reassurance to the family and friends of other victims that Major Crime Investigation Branch continues to investigate cold case homicides.
"We would not have discovered these remains without information from the public. I would implore anyone who has information about any homicide to put themselves in the position of a family or friend of the victim and come forward by either contacting police directly or by contacting Crime Stoppers."
As late as July this year, police and individuals were still seeking information about the missing woman after a $200,000 reward was posted for information that leads to the recovery of Ms Goodwin’s remains or the conviction of those responsible, including on the Missing, Murdered & Unsolved Crimes Of Australia Facebook page.
According to ‘Missing, Murdered’, a friend last saw Susan at her home address the day she went missing describing her disappearance as out of character.
“Despite many searches, fun-loving Susan hasn't been spotted since,” explained Michel Peterson, her partner of seven years.
"From the moment I arrived home from work at 4.30pm, I had a feeling something was terribly wrong. Susan usually picked me up, but this day the car was locked in the driveway. It sent alarm bells ringing. Ordinarily, Susan never bothered about locking it.
"I went inside the house and it all seemed normal. Susan had even prepared the evening meal. It was sitting in the fridge, waiting to be cooked. All the contents of the house were intact, and her clothes in the wardrobe were untouched. One of the other signs something was wrong was that her toothbrush was still in the bathroom cabinet. Susan had an obsession about brushing her teeth, and wouldn't have left the house without it.
"There was no note to say where she was, so I called friends and family, but came up with nothing. It was strange, as we were inseparable and I know she wouldn't cause me any stress.
"I went to the police that night and reported her missing. While I completed the forms, I thought I'd get a call on my mobile from Susan. But it's never happened.
"When I'm driving and I see an area of bushland that hasn't been searched, I stop the car and look for myself. It's sad and frustrating because there haven't been any reported sightings of Susan from the time she disappeared.
"The Port Lincoln SES and police have both been fantastic, conducting searches in the area. The family are very stressed and heartbroken, because Susan survived a car accident in the 1980s which claimed the lives of two of her sisters and her brother. It's a terrible blow to her parents and sister, who live in Victoria. I think about Susan every day, wondering if she's dead or alive, so there's no closure.”
“Our experienced investigators believe the answer to this case lies in the local community,” Detective Superintendent Bray said.
“We want to ensure everyone on the lower Eyre Peninsula is aware of this case, and the fact that even the smallest detail may provide the breakthrough we need. We believe that she was murdered and that her body has been disposed of within a 30km radius of this town. To that end we have taken the unusual step of branding this case onto marked police cars and producing a series of posters and coasters which we will be distributing to businesses and local residents alike.”
Crimestoppers maintained a vigil
On the anniversary of her disappearance in 2019, Crimestoppers South Australia posted this message:
Friday, 19 July marks 17 years since Susan Goodwin went missing from her Port Lincoln home, never to be seen again.
The 39-year-old was last seen around lunchtime that day back in 2002 after shopping at Coles and Woolworths in Pt Lincoln.
She was reported missing when she failed to pick up her partner from work at 4.15pm that day. Susan’s partner started walking to their Moonta Crescent home but accepted a lift from a work colleague.
When she arrived home she found fresh meat ready to be cooked for their evening meal and Susan’s car parked in the driveway.
Susan had only her clothes and about $140 with her when she disappeared.
The social drug user was known to associate with people involved in the local drug scene, and a number of these people have been spoken to by investigators.
Investigators believe that it is likely she has been murdered by someone who was very close to her, narrowing the list of potential suspects.
Investigators believe that the killer still resides in Port Lincoln and hope that someone within the community breaks their silence and comes forward with information.
Police also believe that it is more than likely that more than one person disposed of her body in a shallow grave within a 30km radius of Port Lincoln.
A number of searches of the bushland and scrub surrounding Port Lincoln have proved fruitless.
While her remains have been found and a suspect has been charged, anyone with information is urged to call the Crime Stoppers hotline on 1800 333 000.
The Goodwin family have been wracked with tragedy with three siblings of Susan, Heather and Gary Goodwin and Maree Tiziani killed in a car accident in 1984. Their mother Margaret placed an 'In Memorium' notice in the local paper every year until her death, including the names of sisters Cheryl and Susan as still grieving their deaths.
