The family of Cheryl Grimmer, a British toddler who vanished from an Australian beach 55 years ago, has threatened to publicly identify a key person of interest unless he comes forward to answer questions about her disappearance by Wednesday night. This move comes as the family pushes for a fresh investigation into the cold case, alleging decades of police incompetence.
Cheryl Grimmer was just three years old when she disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach in Wollongong, New South Wales, on January 12, 1970. Her family, who had recently migrated from Bristol as “Ten Pound Poms,” was packing up to leave when Cheryl ran into the ladies’ changing rooms and refused to come out. Her brother, Ricki Nash, too embarrassed to enter, went to fetch their mother, but upon returning 90 seconds later, Cheryl was gone without a trace.
For years, the case remained unsolved with no substantial leads. A breakthrough came in 2017 when a man in his 60s, known only as Mercury, was charged with Cheryl’s abduction and murder after police uncovered a confession he made as a teenager in 1971. However, his trial in 2019 collapsed when a judge ruled the confession inadmissible because he was a minor at the time, and he has consistently denied any involvement.
Frustrated by the lack of progress, Cheryl’s family has now given Mercury an ultimatum: come forward by Wednesday night to explain how he knew details in his confession and whether it was true, or face being named under parliamentary privilege by NSW parliamentarian Jeremy Buckingham when parliament resumes on Thursday. Ricki Nash, emotional during a press conference on Friday, stated, “Enough is enough. We want the truth to come out.”
The family has released a document criticizing NSW authorities for what they describe as “unfathomable” incompetence and negligence over the past 55 years. They claim to have repeatedly requested fresh prosecutions or inquests but were ignored or misled by police who cited ongoing reviews. In response, NSW Police have defended their efforts, emphasizing that homicide detectives continue to investigate and a A$1 million reward for information is still available.
Recent developments have added to the family’s hopes and frustrations. After the BBC aired the “Fairy Meadow” true crime podcast in 2022, which was downloaded five million times, three potential eyewitnesses came forward. However, the family says these witnesses were not formally interviewed, and a four-year review concluded there was no new evidence for a conviction. Additionally, earlier this month, the family and volunteers searched an area of interest with cadaver dogs, but police subsequent search found only animal bones. On Friday, volunteers collected soil samples for further analysis in the UK and US.
The case has gained renewed attention, leading to a NSW parliamentary inquiry into long-term missing persons cases, including Cheryl’s. This inquiry will examine how such investigations are conducted and seek improvements. The family’s ultimatum and the potential naming of Mercury could pressure authorities to reopen the case, underscoring the enduring pain of unresolved disappearances and the quest for closure in cold cases.