Her handbag turned up on a street the day after she vanished. It sat in someone's possession for over a week before it was ever handed to police.
The Disappearance
Rosemary Brown, 33, and her 15-year-old daughter, Melissa (also known as Melissa Trussell), of Adelaide, South Australia, were last seen on May 13, 2000, at a house in Blair Athol. In the lead-up to their disappearance, the family had been evicted from the Windsor Gardens Caravan Park on May 7 and were staying temporarily in a friend's caravan parked near the Garden Island walkway.
Discovery
Rosemary's remains were found in mangroves near Garden Island on July 2, 2000 -- roughly seven weeks after she and Melissa were last seen. Despite extensive searches, including police divers, Melissa's remains have never been recovered. Major Crime detectives have said they believe it's likely Melissa was killed as well and her body disposed of alongside her mother's, though this has never been confirmed.
The Handbag
Rosemary's handbag was found on a Northfield street the day after she was last seen, but it wasn't handed in to police until more than a week later, on May 23 -- a delay investigators have never fully explained.
A Son Left Behind
Rosemary's son, Nathan, was 11 years old at the time of his mother and half-sister's disappearance. He spent the following years living with various relatives and friends before starting to build an independent life around age 16.
Where the Case Stands
More than two decades later, no one has been charged in connection with the deaths. The case remains one of South Australia's most troubling unsolved murders.
FAQ
Has Melissa Brown ever been found?
No. Despite extensive searches, her remains have never been recovered.
Has anyone been charged in this case?
No. The case remains unsolved more than two decades later.
What happened to Rosemary and Melissa's family?
Rosemary's son, Nathan, 11 at the time, spent subsequent years living with relatives and friends before building an independent life.