What happened to Renee Aitken

In February 1984, a mother tucked her little girl into bed, tenderly kissing her goodnight, before turning off the bedroom light and closing the door. A routine she had repeated many nights previously, but sadly after this fateful night would never have the opportunity to do again...

     Photo Credit (illawarramercury.com)

Renee, just 5 years old, has missed out on creating a lifetime of memories with her family. A cheerful, happy-go-lucky little girl, Renee adored her family who cherished her in return. 

Renee was always full of adventure, recalling her family with her various stories and entertaining them with her spirited, funny nature.

A sparkly glint in her eye, a cheeky smile, a loving nature... Renee is a much-loved daughter, sister, niece, cousin... Renee is dearly missed and not a day goes by her family doesn't hope that she will finally be located.

Waiting for the knock at the door, hoping for answers, wondering if Renee will ever come home... The Aitken family have lived the nightmare for the last 37 years and appeal to ANYONE with information to PLEASE come forward to help put an end to their nightmare...

37 years ago the nightmare began for Renee's family, however, it still feels like only yesterday this horrible journey began ... 

Renee Aitken was just five years old when she vanished from her home in Narooma NSW on the 17th February 1984. 

Renee shared her bedroom with her older brother and was last seen in her bed at 11.15 pm by her mum the night before her disappearance. When her mum went in to check on the two children at 4.45 am the following morning, Renee was gone.

A massive search was conducted, and a huge police inquiry coordinated into Renee's disappearance.

Suspects

Michael Guider who was convicted of murdering nine-year-old Samantha Knight, who vanished in 1986, is also a suspect in Renee's case. In prison, he drew sketches of a young girl who bore a striking physical similarity to Renee Aitken who he narrated to as "Renee". He was also found to have scrapbooks containing newspaper cuttings about Renee's disappearance.

Brian James Fitzpatrick, a known sex offender, is deemed a suspect in Renee's disappearance. Renee's maternal aunt Bonnie Aitken, her boyfriend, her employer, and Fitzpatrick had all been on a fishing holiday in Narooma at the time of her disappearance. That night Fitzpatrick had gone into Morna's flat to get some blankets. He claims he had driven around Narooma for several hours after visiting the flat before stopping at a beach to listen to music and go for a swim. Though, Bonnie is skeptical of his story as it was well known that Fitzpatrick was scared of sharks and rejected to swim as a result. At the inquest she apologized to everyone, stating she felt responsible for what had occurred as she brought Fitzpatrick into Renee's life.

In 2003, Fitzpatrick died by suicide. It is worth noting that this was after he's been subpoenaed to appear before an inquest into Renee's death.

At the time of her disappearance, Renee was described as standing 91cm tall with a thin build, Renee had blonde hair, blue eyes, and a fair complexion. Renee would now be 42 years old.

If you have ANY information please contact Crime Sstoppers on 1800 333 000