Police post $1.16m reward in Eloise Worledge Melbourne cold case mystery

Eloise Worledge, 8, was reported missing 50 years ago and was last seen by her family in her bedroom on January 12, 1976.

Police have offered a A$1 million ($1.16m)reward for information related to the mysterious cold case disappearance of an 8-year-old Melbourne girl – after she vanished from her bed 50 years ago.

Eloise Worledge, the eldest of three children, was last seen in her bedroom at her family’s home on Scott St at Beaumaris, in Melbourne’s southeast, about 11.40pm on January 12, 1976.

When her family woke the following morning, she was missing.

Her parents found the flyscreen on her bedroom window had been cut and opened, with nothing else disturbed, and immediately reported her disappearance to police.

It sparked one of Victoria’s largest search operations, involving more than 250 officers who canvassed over 6000 properties, nearby suburbs, parks, reserves, vacant properties and the foreshore around Beaumaris over 18 days.

No trace of Eloise was ever found.

Detectives have spoken to thousands of people, interviewing family, friends, neighbours and school contacts multiple times and followed up information over the past 50 years, but no evidence has ever explained the girl’s disappearance or those responsible.

An ongoing taskforce, coronial inquest and cold case review have led authorities to believe Eloise was murdered.

Police have increased a reward to A$1m for information that leads to the discovery of her remains, or the apprehension and subsequent conviction of those responsible for her disappearance.

Police are expected to address the media about the cold case today.

In a statement, Eloise’s family said their lives were changed forever by the disappearance of their beloved sister, Eloise.

They asked for privacy as they deal with the anguish of the 50th anniversary of her disappearance.

“My memories of waking up to find her missing are still very vivid and raw and the passage of time has not eased the pain of this loss,” her family said.

“Ella was and remains deeply loved, she was more than a missing person or a case file – she was a daughter, a sister, a friend, someone who mattered greatly to all who knew her.

“The ongoing public interest and constant suspicion surrounding my family – found to be unsubstantiated more than once – caused a lifetime of immense grief and pain.

“Despite this, somehow, we managed to find our own peace, however, the anniversary brings up a multitude of emotions and causes a great deal of distress yet again.”

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