In connection with Allison Bernard’s “suspicious disappearance” over ten years ago, a man has been charged with murder. On February 10, 2013, at 11 p.m., the Kowanyama woman was last observed at Archer River Quarry in Far North Queensland. Since then, a 62-year-old Coen man has been charged with one count of murder by detectives.
Allison Bernard, 23, vanished in 2013
Later in the day, he is scheduled to appear in Cairns Magistrates Court.
A Queensland Police spokeswoman stated, “A man has been charged with murder in relation to the suspicious disappearance of Kowanyama woman Allison Bernard, 23, in 2013.”
“On Sunday, February 10, 2013, at approximately 11 p.m., Allison was last observed at Archer River Quarry.”
“She was supposed to go to Kowanyama after being spotted at the Exchange Hotel in Coen that evening, but she never showed up.”
That evening, Ms Bernard left the pub with a stranger named Thomas Byrnes, who claimed before her inquest that she had visited his house prior to “going walkabout.”
Caretaker of Archer River Quarry Mr Byrnes, picked Ms Bernard up at the pub that night in February 2013.
Ms. Bernard’s family released a statement last year in conjunction with the announcement of the prize on the tenth anniversary of her disappearance.
The Bernard family is still in shock over Allison’s abduction. Her absence still has an effect on our community and way of life, especially for her kids, they said.
We applaud the Police Minister’s announcement of the reward and urge anyone with information that could help with an investigation to come forward.
“It is only right that the questions surrounding her disappearance be addressed for the family members’ respect.”
