She went to bed at 10 p.m. By morning, she was gone — and her stepfather waited more than 19 hours to report it.
Michaela Godau, 15, disappeared overnight on December 19–20, 1982, from her family's home in what is now Davoren Park, South Australia. More than four decades later, her case remains unsolved.
A Family in Transition
Michaela was born in Germany in 1967 and moved to Australia with her family in November 1981. In July 1982, her mother, Emmi, returned to Germany for work, leaving Michaela, her stepfather Herwarth, and her brothers in Adelaide, with the family reportedly planning to eventually reunite in Germany. Michaela attended Fremont High School, though her mother has said she preferred sports and music to schoolwork.
The Night She Vanished
Michaela went to bed around 10 p.m. on December 19. By the time the family woke the next morning, she was gone. Her stepfather didn't report her missing until 5:35 p.m. that evening, telling police she had run away, taking around $460 in cash, toiletries, her passport, and, notably, some sleeping pills.
Questions That Emerged Later
Investigators found several details troubling. The amount of cash Michaela had reportedly taken was significant for a family that was, by the stepfather's own account, struggling financially at the time. Weeks before she disappeared, a prospective buyer visiting the home to negotiate a furniture purchase noticed an unexplained injury to Michaela's eye. A friend had also told investigators there was tension between Michaela and her stepfather, and welfare authorities had been involved with the family in the months prior, though this hadn't been disclosed to police when Michaela was first reported missing.
Herwarth Godau initially cooperated with investigators, but retained a lawyer after being questioned about his Land Rover. That vehicle was later sold to a Northern Territory tourism operator in the late 1980s and has never been located, permanently eliminating any chance of forensically examining it.
Where Things Stand Now
Herwarth Godau has never been charged in connection with Michaela's disappearance and remains, according to South Australia Police, a person of interest rather than a formally accused suspect. Investigators believe Michaela was likely killed, and that the circumstances of her disappearance may have been deliberately staged to resemble a runaway case. A reward of up to $1,000,000 remains on offer for information leading to a conviction or the recovery of her remains, as part of a broader South Australian government initiative addressing the state's long-unsolved cases.
Michaela's mother, now in her 80s, has continued to hold onto hope that her daughter may still be alive somewhere, though she has also acknowledged she may never know for certain what happened.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers South Australia at 1800 333 000.
Frequently Asked Questions
Has Michaela Godau ever been found?
No. She has never been located, and investigators believe she was likely killed.
Was her stepfather ever charged?
No. He has never been charged and remains a person of interest rather than a formally accused suspect.
Is there still a reward for information?
Yes, up to $1,000,000 for information leading to a conviction or the recovery of her remains.
Is the case still being investigated?
Yes, it remains formally open with South Australia Police's Major Crime unit.