Police have renewed their appeal for information regarding the kidnapping and suspected death of a New South Wales teenager, Jessica Small, 27 years ago.
On the early morning of October 26, 1997, fifteen-year-old Jessica and a friend were hitchhiking home from an amusement centre in Bathurst when they were picked up by a man driving a white sedan, who allegedly assaulted them. The friend managed to escape and alerted people nearby, but Jessica was driven away by the man.
Homicide Squad Commander Joe Doueihi stated that following the offer of a $1-million reward for information in 2018, new witnesses and leads had come forward. “We were specifically given information about the car seen in the area at the time of Jessica’s disappearance,” he said. “We’ve also identified a potential person of interest who was previously unknown to the investigation.”
Detectives from Strike Force Carica II reported that the white Holden Commodore was last seen heading toward Hill End, near Duramana Road and Willott Close, Eglinton.
Detective Superintendent Doueihi confirmed that the NSW Crime Commission is assisting in the investigation. “The NSW Crime Commission is a law enforcement partner that we will call upon for assistance, depending on the complexity and nature of the case,” he explained. “They have additional powers and resources that NSW Police do not, including the ability to hold hearings.”
The state coroner has authorized a fresh inquest into Jessica’s death, although the date has not been set yet.
In a 2014 coronial inquest, Jessica’s mother, Ricki Small, expressed her desire to find her daughter. “I have no doubt something went terribly wrong,” she said.
During the 2014 inquest, Deputy State Coroner Sharon Freund concluded that Jessica was abducted and murdered by an unknown individual on the day of her disappearance or the following day. Freund also mentioned two persons of interest but noted that the original police investigation had been insufficient, which hindered identifying the responsible party.
In March 2020, police arrested a 43-year-old man in Bruinbun in the Hunter Valley, accusing him of sexually assaulting Jessica in 1994 and 1996. The man, who cannot be named, was sentenced to 11 years in prison for four counts of aggravated sexual assault of a victim under the age of 16. He will be eligible for parole in October 2027.
