The reward for information that could help solve the 1980 disappearance of a Collie schoolgirl has been increased from $10,000 to $250,000.
Twelve-year-old Lisa Marie Mott disappeared while walking along Forrest Street approximately 8.30pm on October 30, 1980.
She was last seen talking to a person in a yellow panel van and no information has been received in regards to her whereabouts since that time.
Police Minister Michelle Roberts announced last week that Lisa Mott’s disappearance was one of 11 cold cases that had seen its reward rise to $250,000 for information leading to the apprehension and conviction of the person responsible.
The previous reward for information, set in 1981, was just $10,000.
“I’m keen to support police with the offer of rewards to help apprehend offenders and bring justice to grieving families,” Ms Roberts said.
“Rewards can be a valuable tool in cases where investigators believe they have the potential to generate new information or bring forward new witnesses.
“The hotchpotch system of disparate rewards we inherited needed review and I wanted to ensure we kept pace with other jurisdictions.
“Hopefully the offer of a quarter of a million dollar reward may be incentive enough to get someone to come forward with information.”
The announcement came after the state government set up a working group to review the reward system and to address concerns regarding the differing rewards offered for cold cases.
The review concluded that reward amounts offered in Western Australia had fallen behind those offered in other states, where automatic rewards are often applied to all unsolved homicides and suspicious disappearances.
