She was days from giving birth. She'd already picked a name for her son: Ryan.
On June 20, 2009, 23-year-old Krystal Fraser disappeared from Pyramid Hill, a small town in north-central Victoria, Australia. She was never seen again. Neither was the son she was about to have.
Who Krystal Was
Krystal had an intellectual disability, with a mental age of around 14, though she could read, write, hold a job, and live independently. Her mother, Karen, described her as kind-hearted, socially outgoing, and overly trusting of strangers — someone who often missed social cues and sought attention wherever she could find it. She was well known around Pyramid Hill and to regular V/Line train passengers, having ridden the Bendigo-Swan Hill line frequently for years.
The Night She Vanished
On June 19, 2009, Krystal was admitted to Bendigo Hospital due to pregnancy complications. The next evening, against medical advice, she discharged herself, telling hospital staff and friends she was heading to a party in Cohuna. Investigators later found no evidence any such party took place.
She took a V/Line train from Bendigo back to Pyramid Hill, arriving at the station around 8:40 p.m. She was last seen alive around 9:30 p.m., leaving an address on Albert Street after visiting an acquaintance.
The Phone Call
Just before midnight, Krystal received a 40-second call on her mobile phone. It was traced to a public phone booth outside the post office in Leitchville, a town about 27 kilometers away. Records showed she'd received 15 calls from that same phone booth in the two months before her disappearance. After that final call, her phone's signal was tracked moving along a rural road toward Leitchville in the early hours of the morning, then went dead. It has never been recovered.
A Relationship Investigators Focused On
Police determined that Krystal had been in an ongoing relationship with a man from the nearby town of Gunbower. In the months before she vanished, the two exchanged frequent calls and texts — until, following a nine-minute call in May 2009, he stopped using his personal phone entirely and switched to contacting her exclusively through the Leitchville phone booth. Investigators have said publicly they believe her pregnancy and this relationship may have led to a confrontation that ended in her death.
The Coronial Inquest
A coronial inquest into Krystal's disappearance was held in July 2022. Coroner Katherine Lorenz concluded that Krystal most likely died shortly after receiving that final phone call from the Leitchville booth. The inquest also found that available evidence supported the conclusion that a man named Peter "PJ" Jenkinson was involved in her disappearance in some capacity. No criminal charges have been laid against him, and the finding reflects the coroner's assessment of the evidence at inquest, not a criminal conviction.
The Reward, and a Book
Victoria Police first offered a $100,000 reward in 2012. In 2019, that reward was increased to $1 million for information leading to a conviction, and it remains on offer. In 2023, former investigator Dennis O'Bryan published a book, “Last Train Home: The Disappearance of Krystal Fraser,” examining the case in detail and presenting additional evidence and analysis.
Where the Case Stands Now
More than 15 years later, Krystal and her unborn son have never been found. Her family continues to hope for answers — and for the chance to eventually bring her home.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Krystal Fraser ever been found?
No. Neither Krystal nor her unborn son have ever been located.
Has anyone been charged in connection with her disappearance?
No. A 2022 coronial inquest found evidence supporting the involvement of a specific individual, but no criminal charges have been filed.
Is there still a reward for information?
Yes, a $1 million reward has been on offer since 2019.
Is the case still being investigated?
Yes. Victoria Police continue to treat it as an active investigation.