Christine Maria FENNER aka NEWMAN

         

 


Last seen: Booyal via Childers, QLD on 12/2/99
Date of birth: 1950
Height: 162cm
Build: Slim
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Green
Tattoos/marks: Unknown tattoo on left shoulder


Circumstances:

Christine Fenner was last seen at her home in Booyal via Childers QLD on 12/2/99. Christine's partner went out and when he returned she was not at the residence.

OFFICE OF THE STATE CORONER FINDINGS OF INQUEST

CITATION: Inquest into the death of Christine Maria

Fenner also known as Christine Maria Newman

TITLE OF COURT: Coroner’s Court JURISDICTION: Bundaberg DELIVERED ON: 11 December 2008

DELIVERED AT: Bundaberg

HEARING DATE(s): 22 October, 20 November, 4 December and 11

December 2008

FINDINGS OF: Ms J Batts, Coroner

 

The Coroners Act 1958 provides in s43(1) that after considering all of the evidence given before a coroner at an inquest the coroner shall give his or her findings in open court. What follows are my findings in the inquest held into the disappearance of Christine Maria Fenner also known as Christine Maria Newman. Copies will be provided to her family and posted on the web-site of the Office of the State Coroner.

Pursuant to s10 of the Act, a coroner has jurisdiction to inquire into the cause and the circumstances of a missing person’s disappearance and into all such matters that will be likely to reveal whether the missing person is alive or dead.

The Act, in s43(4), provides that where an inquiry concerns a missing person the finding shall set forth –

Ms Fenner was born on the 28th of November 1950. She went missing from her home at 532 Kirk Marule Road, Booyal on 12 February 1999. At the time she was living with her de facto husband, Mark Graham. Mr Graham is now deceased. Whilst Ms Fenner and Mr Graham often argued and there is some evidence of a significant argument on the night before her disappearance, the relationship was generally described by most to be good. Ms Fenner described herself as happy in that relationship.

At the time of her disappearance she was in extremely poor health. This seemed, to persons who knew her, to be much more than the result of a heavy drinking bout which Ms Fenner regularly indulged in, and likely had recently indulged in. Witnesses who saw her or, had contact with her in the preceding days, including Helen Bright who was the last person to give a report of seeing her alive, described someone who should most certainly have been obtaining urgent medical attention. It was suggested to her, more than once, that she seek such help however, she refused to go. Ms Bright reports seeing her last at approximately midday 12 February 1999 at which time she noted that her face seemed to droop, that she was unable to dress herself and that she had difficulty talking.

When her de facto, Mr Graham, returned at about 5.30pm that day, Ms Fenner was missing. Apart from conducting a search around the dwelling and seeking information from neighbours after a time, Mr Graham did not appear to be overly concerned about Ms Fenner as he said, "she had disappeared for a few days before and returned". Her daughter, Cindy Dzwienel, initially took a similar view when she became aware of her mother’s disappearance, although it was Ms Dzwienel who ultimately reported to police that her mother was missing. This occurred on 17 February 1999 and a search of the property including by SES and rural fire brigade members was subsequently conducted.

A major incident room was set up by police on 18 February 1999 and the investigation resulted in a number of statements which were tendered at this inquiry. The investigation continued until recent times with further searches being carried out late last year and, to a lesser extent, this year following receipt of further information.

On the 25th of July 2000, investigators received information from Childers Police in relation to the whereabouts of Ms Fenner. The information that had been received was that she had been murdered and placed into a large drum filled with lime. It was said that the drum was then left in a dumping ground just off the Kinkuna Beach Road and Goodwood Road intersections. A thorough search of that area and areas adjacent was carried out. No such drums or dumping ground for large drums were located. Inquiries with the local council failed to identify any such dumping ground in the area.

On the 31st of October 2001, information was received from an anonymous female suggesting police search the sewerage septic tank of the neighbouring property as she believed that Ms Fenner’s body might be found there. On 3 January 2002, approval was granted for investigators to attend at that property and pump out the sewerage tank. On the 18th of February 2002, a search warrant was executed on the premises of Lot 54 Kirk Marule Road and the sewerage tank emptied, no remains were located.

More recently, on 15 December 2007 as a result of information obtained, police attended 84 Ironbark Road, Good Night Scrub. A crime scene warrant was executed there. The SES was also organized to attend that property on the day and a witness, Mr Anthony Thomas Marchesano, also attended with police. Mr Marchesano indicated an area on the property which he recalled as a grave site shown to him by one Russell Ernest Parrymore. Mr Marchesano was not able to direct police to a specific spot. He indicated an area that was along a track that went up towards the ridge of the property. The area was approximately 200 metres long and he indicated that the spot was no further than 10 metres off the track to the left-hand side. Police searched and dug areas along the track area. The ground was very hard and rocky. The SES also conducted a forensic search of the area as they were directed by police. The SES did not locate anything of interest nor did police.

On 20 August 2008, Detectives McCusker and Owens attended a property at 84 Bark Road, Good Night Scrub with another person. It was the same area as had been shown to them by the witness, Mr Marchesano. This person said that she felt that Ms Fenner had been buried in this area, and persons were involved with the disposal of her body. She pointed out areas along the track and again the ground was extremely hard and rocky. Nothing was located by police.

Ms Fenner’s body has never been found. At the time Ms Fenner disappeared, none of her personal items were taken or removed. Items such as her usual footwear, glasses and cigarettes which she always had with her, remained in the caravan. Her bank account has never been touched in all these intervening years. Immigration inquiries do not reveal Ms Fenner leaving the country.

In all of those circumstances, I turn, particularly to those matters that I must find pursuant to s43(4) of the Coroners Act 1958. There are several possible explanations for Ms Fenner’s disappearance. Whilst it is possible Ms Fenner chose to leave the area of her own accord and is living somewhere to this day, there is no evidence whatsoever to support this scenario and indeed, it is the least likely of any of the possible outcomes, and due to the complete lack of evidence I do discount it. I find that Ms Fenner is in fact deceased. As to the cause and circumstances of her death, these are unknown. She may have wandered off, collapsed and died, and her body not found by any person. This might seem least likely with her body never recovered, and more especially so in light of the extremely poor state of her health at the time. Nevertheless, there was a delay with the search and it is still a possibility, if slight, that this occurred. She may have been murdered by someone and her body disposed of. No motive or reason is apparent that could be attributed to any of the persons interviewed or who gave evidence. The identity of any person responsible for this and, again, the whereabouts of her body, is unknown. She may have died of natural causes and her body disposed of by a person or persons, including Mr Graham who might have panicked if he thought he might have been implicated in her death, having regard to their argument of the previous evening which was extensive and had been heard by many.

There is, however, no evidence which implicates any person, except for the evidence that was heard by this inquiry about Mr Royston Turner. Mr Royston Turner at the time of Ms Fenner’s disappearance was the de facto partner of Ms Cindy Dzwienel. Ms Dzwienel gave evidence that she had been told by Mr Turner that he killed her mother. Mr Royston Turner, when he appeared at the inquiry, denied that he ever told his former de facto that he killed her mother. I prefer the evidence of Ms Dzwienel on this point, that is, I consider that he did, more likely than not, say words something to the effect of, and this was the evidence of Ms Dzwienel, "I killed your mother and you’ll be next". This comment it must be said was in the context of their relationship which was characterised by domestic violence, and such a comment was certainly a very hurtful and effective taunt and torment to Ms Dzwienel, but probably no more. There is no evidence to suggest that he saw or visited Ms Fenner that day and at least one near neighbour was very aware of most movements to and from the property.

There is no evidence to commit any person for trial in relation to this matter, a finding I make also pursuant to s43(4)(b) of the Coroners Act 1958.

I close the inquest.

 

Coroner Batts

11 December 2008

Hopes new age progression photo could help find missing Bundy woman Christine Fenner

Christine Fenner went missing from Bundaberg in February 1999. This National Missing Persons Week, the AFP are releasing a new image in hopes of solving the 22 year mystery of her fate.

Geordi Offord News Mail
August 1, 2021 - 10:17AM

 

The Australian Federal Police have released a unique image that aims to capture how a woman, who went missing from the Bundaberg region in 1999, could look today.

The image of Christine Fenner will form part of a series of images that capture how seven Australians, who have been missing for up to 40 years, could look today as it urges the public to help solve the mystery behind these heartbreaking cases.

The age progressed images have been created by AFP forensic artists and will be featured across a series of short videos to be progressively launched from Sunday for National Missing Persons Week 2021 (NMPW), which runs from 1-7 August.

This year’s theme for NMPW is ‘Their face might have changed. Missing them hasn’t.’

Families of each of the missing persons were directly involved in the production of the videos, providing personal images and describing the emotions and heartache they have lived with while searching tirelessly for their missing loved one.

Christine’s son William Fenner has spent the past 22 years seeking answers to the whereabouts of his mother, who went missing from Bundaberg in February 1999.

He said that if his mother happened to see the campaign, he would want to pass on one simple message to her.

“I would say to her that I love her,” he said.

“I love her very much and she is very much missed by the family. I still wish she was here with us in this life, to come and share laughter and fun times. It definitely means a lot to get this far down the track and still have people that are willing to help me.

“My mum’s wish was for her ashes to be scattered in Fremantle, WA. If she is no longer alive, we would love to be able to honour this wish so we ask that if anyone has information, please come forward.”

According to the missing persons website, Christine’s defacto left home at Booyal on February 12 1999.

When he returned she was not there.

Christine would now be 69 years old and has brown hair, green eyes and a blue scroll/green heart tattoo on left shoulder.

She also has a scar on left shoulder.

The AFP’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) Coordinator Jodie McEwan said the age progression campaign was an opportunity to educate the broader community on the need to be aware that long-term missing persons have aged and could look very different to the last time they were seen.

“This year’s campaign acknowledges that as people age, their appearance changes and this obviously also applies to those who are missing. Using the capabilities of specialist AFP forensic artists who work closely with family members, we are able to produce a depiction of how the missing person could look today,” she said.

“It is hoped the images, some of which show how a person may look more than 40 years after going missing, provide the community with an updated idea of who we continue to search for.

“The seven people who will be featured throughout the week all have families who continue to wait for answers.

“They are sons and daughters, parents, siblings, colleagues and friends. They are more than faces on a poster or a website, they are real people who are valued members of their communities and we continue the search to find them.

“If you have any piece of information that you think could assist police, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”

The videos and images will be progressively release throughout the week.

To view them visit the AFP or the NMPCC Facebook pages.

To find out more about Australia’s missing persons visit the missing persons website.

 

 

$500,000 reward announced for information in relation to the disappearance of Christine Fenner

QPS Media on Feb 23, 2023 @ 11:32am

Detectives from the Crime and Intelligence Command are hopeful the announcement of a Queensland Government reward of $500,000 will bring in new information into the 1999 suspicious disappearance of Christine Maria Fenner from Booyal.

Police Minister Mark Ryan approved the $500,000 reward following an extensive review of the investigation by the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team and Bundaberg Police.

Christine Maria Fenner, was a 48-year-old woman and mother of two when she went missing from her home at 532 Kirk Marule Road, Booyal on Friday 12 February 1999. She has not been seen or heard from since.

Christine was living in a caravan on a rural property between Childers and Gin Gin with her defacto husband at the time of her disappearance. She was last seen around midday on Friday 12 February, 1999 by a friend. Her friend noted her to be in extremely poor health and encouraged her to seek medical attention at the time.

When her partner returned at around 5.30pm, Christine was missing. Her personal items, including usual footwear, glasses and cigarettes, which she always had with her, remained in the caravan.

As part of the original investigation, police co-ordinated an extensive foot search of the area surrounding Christine’s home. Since Christine’s disappearance, a number of places have been searched with the assistance of the SES and rural fire brigade.  Locations include bushland, dams, residences and sewerage systems in the Wide Bay area.

Investigators from the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team commenced a review in 2022.

There is a $500,000 reward being offered for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person/persons responsible for the suspected murder of Christine Fenner. In addition, an appropriate indemnity from prosecution will be recommended for any accomplice, not being the person who actually committed the crime, who first gives such information.

Anyone with information, no matter how small or irrelevant they think it might be, is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stopper website.

Minister for Police and Corrective Services and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Mark Ryan said a $500,000 reward is now in place for information that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Christine Fenner.

“I particularly stress the importance of the matter of indemnity offered along with this reward,” Minister Ryan said.

“Any person who was involved in the crime but did not commit the crime who comes forward and speaks with police, is eligible for this indemnity from prosecution.

“No one should need a reason to come forward and assist police in this matter – but today, we are giving you 500,000 reasons.”

Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell of the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Team said despite extensive investigations at the time and since, Christine has never been located.

“Christine’s bank account has never accessed and her personal items were left behind, we believe the circumstances of her disappearance is suspicious,” Detective Senior Sergeant Kentwell said.

“There are people out there with information. Christine’s family and friends deserve answers, so if you know something, please come forward.”

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au.

 

Family of missing mum begs for closure: Someone out there knows what happened

No trace of the mother-of-two has ever been found.

 

A $500,000 reward is being offered for information about the disappearance of a Queensland mother 24 years ago.

Christine Maria Fenner was living in Booyal, southwest of Bundaberg, when she disappeared on Friday, February 12, 1999.

Queensland Police on Thursday will offer a $500,000 reward in the hope it will lead to the discovery of Fenner’s remains and disclose the circumstances of her disappearance.

Fenner was living with her de facto partner when she went missing while he was helping a neighbour to move house.

He was away for about four hours, and when he returned about 5.30pm, Fenner was gone.

Her former partner, who is now deceased, told investigators Fenner had gone missing previously but had always come home.

Her cigarettes, bank book and even her shoes were left behind, and no trace of the mother-of-two has ever been found.

A coronial inquest in 2008 found Fenner was in poor health and that she and her partner had argued the night before her disappearance.

“The relationship was generally described by most to be good. Ms Fenner described herself as happy in that relationship,” the coronial report found.

According to her missing person report, Fenner had brown hair, green eyes and a blue scroll/green heart tattoo on her left shoulder. She also had a scar on her left shoulder.

Fenner would now be aged 72.

Her son William still dreams of his mother almost a quarter of a century since she went missing.

“Mum was very much loved,” he said.

“Over the years, the impact that has had on our lives has been more far-reaching as a family than ever we could imagine.”

William Fenner described his mother as a fun-loving person and a cheeky lady.

“They remember her as someone who brought laughter and happiness into their lives,” he said.

Fenner’s last wishes were for her remains to be scattered in Fremantle, and her family has begged for help to close the painful chapter of their lives.

“We’d like to have that ceremony and give her that respect,” her son said.

“I’m just asking to really tap into the consciousness of the person and their heart and try and relate to how they would feel with their family if one of their family members went missing.”

People out there ‘hold vital information’

Cold case Detective Senior Sergeant Tara Kentwell said police had followed up every shred of information, searching bushland, dams and sewerage systems, but no trace of Fenner had been found.

“We know that there are people out there who hold vital information that could assist in the progression of this investigation,” she said.

“We ask that if anyone has any information, no matter how small or relevant they think it may be, to contact Crime Stoppers.”