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On July 11, 1990, 23-year-old Sarah mysteriously vanished from Kananook railway station.
She left behind bloodstains, drag marks, and unanswered questions, according to Victoria Police.
Despite decades of investigation by the Victoria Police Homicide Squad and Missing Persons Squad, Sarah’s case remains one of Australia's most famous unsolved mysteries.
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| Sarah MacDiarmid |
Who Is Sarah MacDiarmid?
Born on November 15, 1966, in Scotland, Sarah MacDiarmid was a vibrant young woman.
She was described by friends and family as kind, ambitious, and lively.
Sarah emigrated from the Scottish Highlands to Melbourne, Australia, with her family in 1987, hoping to build a new life.
She worked full-time and enjoyed an active social life.
She often played tennis after work, precisely what she was doing the day she disappeared.
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| Sarah MacDiarmid |
How and When Did Sarah MacDiarmid Disappear?
On the evening of July 11, 1990, Sarah played tennis with friends at Flinders Park, East Melbourne before catching a train home.
She had missed an earlier train with her friends but managed to board another Frankston-bound train at Caulfield station.
Her friends exited at Bonbeach, but Sarah continued to Kananook railway station, where her red Honda Civic was parked.
She was last seen at around 10:20 p.m., walking towards the car park at Kananook station, a poorly lit and isolated area.
Witnesses reported hearing a woman shout, "Give me back my keys!" near the car park.
Bloodstains, drag marks, and her cigarette lighter were later found beside her abandoned vehicle.
Sarah’s parents reported that she was missing the following morning when she failed to return home.
How Did the Police Investigate Her Disappearance?
The criminal investigation into Sarah MacDiarmid’s disappearance was one of the most extensive in Victorian history.
Over 250 police officers conducted a 21-day land, air, and sea search, but it yielded no results.
Forensic evidence from the crime scene, such as bloodstains and drag marks, led detectives to conclude that Sarah had likely been murdered.
Despite public appeals, media coverage, and an initial government reward of $50,000, no significant leads emerged.
In 2004, the reward was increased to $1 million—a gesture that still stands today.
Inquests and interviews with suspects, including convicted killers Paul Denyer and Bandali Debs, have been inconclusive.
This has made Sarah MacDiarmid’s case one of Australia’s oldest cold cases.
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| Disappearance of Sarah MacDiarmid |
Theories Surrounding Sarah’s Disappearance
Several theories have emerged over the years:
1) Random Attack: Some investigators believe Sarah was the victim of an opportunistic attack in the station’s dark, deserted car park.
2) Victim of a Known Serial Killer: Convicted criminals like Paul Denyer and Bandali Debs have been questioned but denied involvement.
3) Jodie Jones and Accomplices: A more recent theory implicates violent sex worker Jodie Jones and her associates.
It is believed that Jodie Jones and three others allegedly attacked Sarah during a robbery gone wrong.
Two of these suspects are deceased, and police are still exploring the involvement of others in the group.
Ongoing Efforts to Solve the Case
Despite decades without resolution, the Victoria Police Homicide Squad continues to investigate Sarah MacDiarmid’s disappearance.
They urge anyone with information to come forward.
“There will absolutely still be people who know what happened to Sarah,” Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said.
The case has been revisited through media, including the Searching for Sarah MacDiarmid podcast and TV shows like Sensing Murder.
On the 20th anniversary of her disappearance, Sarah’s family launched a website to support others dealing with missing loved ones.
As we reflect on Sarah’s life and the circumstances of her last known moments, the hope remains that someone will come forward to help close this chapter.
With a $1 million reward still on offer, the call for justice persists, ensuring that Sarah’s story is never forgotten.
With continued public support and police determination, the hope persists that justice for Sarah—and peace for her family—will one day be achieved.
If you have any information that could help the police locate Sarah, please contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or submit an online report under the category "Suspicious Activity or Other Crime."
For those who prefer to stay anonymous, there are multiple ways to report a crime confidentially in Australia.
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