Disappearance of Lisa Marie

Missing Teen – Collie, Western Australia

12-year-old, Lisa Marie Mott left her home at 6.45 pm on Thursday 30 October 1980, to go to the local basketball courts situated on Throssell Street, Collie. At the time she was accompanied by a friend and had her mother’s confirmation to attend the courts on the understanding that she would get a lift home with the mother of Lisa’s friend. This was only the third time Lisa had been permitted out at night time with all previous occasions; to attend the basketball courts. Lisa spent her time at the basketball courts as most young girls would: Shooting some hoops, joking around, and talking with her friends.

At 8:45 pm Lisa and a friend walked to a pizza shop opposite the basketball court before returning a few minutes later. At 9 pm Lisa began to walk home, with a friend walking with her part of the way. They walked along Throssell Street, turning right onto Harvey Street towards the railway crossing. Within this vicinity, Lisa’s friend stopped as she had to return to the basketball courts, Lisa's friend stared her cross the railway line to Forrest Street. 

It is thought that the last known sighting of Lisa was that night on Forrest Street speaking to someone in a yellow panel van.

The driver of the yellow panel van has not come forward and despite extensive investigations by police, family, and comprehensive media coverage, there has been no information regarding her whereabouts since.

Lisa has been characterized as a thoughtful, loving-natured child who was always smiling. Marion Powell, Lisa's mother remembered: "She was always at my elbow and I got on extremely well with her, kids are kids. There were ups and downs with her, she played the clarinet and I just remember she was really happy."

There are many theories around the disappearance of Lisa Mott, one of the most conspicuous theories mentions serial killer couple, David and Catherine Birnie. The Bernies were jailed for life in 1987 for the kidnapping and killing of four young women. David Birnie had worked in the region of Collie and was said to have owned a similar vehicle at the time of Lisa’s disappearance. The Birney in 1986, but both refuted any involvement in Lisa's disappearance. David Birnie took his own life in prison in 2005.

Lisa has been missing for over 40 years and would now be 53 years old. At the time of Lisa’s disappearance, she was characterized as a 12-year-old girl with a fair complexion, thin build with light brown hair, and hazel eyes standing at 152cms (5 feet) tall. She was last seen wearing a light blue t-shirt, dark blue toweling shorts with white trim around the legs, and a pair of brown and fawn striped sneakers with white socks.

There is a reward of $1,000,000 be offered by the Western Australian Government for information that leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for Lisa’s murder. The Government may be prepared to consider recommending protection from prosecution or pardon for any informant with information that leads to the conviction of the person or persons responsible for Lisa’s death, provided that the informant was not directly responsible for the death of Lisa Mott.

If you have any information about the disappearance of Lisa Marie Mott, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Please remember that you can remain unidentified if you wish and rewards are offered.