Disappearance Of Rhianna Barreau

12-year-old Rhianna Barreau disappeared from her home in Wakefield Avenue, Morphett Vale, South Australia on October 7, 1992.

Rhianna shared the home with her mother Paula and brother Shannon. Although Rhianna's parents were no longer together, she remained close to both of them. 

Rhianna's dad Leon was living on the gold coast at the time with his wife Sandra. It was school holidays and while Rhianna usually spent her break with her dad on the gold coast, this time she had chosen to stay home with her mum. Her brother Shannon was away at school camp. 

Rhianna was planning to catch the bus to meet her mother that day at the Colonnades shopping center, which was nearly 6 kilometers from her home to buy a Christmas card for her American pen pal. 

That morning at almost 8.30 is, her mother Paula was about to leave the family home and go to work. Paula had heard on the radio that there was going to be a bus strike that day and went into Rhianna's room to discuss the change of plans. She entered her bedroom where Rhianna was listening to love shack by the b52's, which is reportedly one of Rhianna's favorite songs. Paula suggested to Rhianna that because of the bus strike maybe she could walk to the Reynella shopping center instead. This shopping center is now known as the South gate plaza. 

Reynella shopping center at the time was only approximately 1.5 kilometers and around a 20 minute walk away from her house. Paula then kissed her daughter goodbye, and unfortunately, this was the last time she ever saw her. 

It is thought that Rhianna remained at her home until approximately 10.30 am when she was seen leaving walking in the directions of the shops. Sources claim that Rhianna bought the card for her pen pal from the newsagents at 11.19 am.

Rhianna was then sighted again between 12.05 pm and 12.30 pm walking through the grounds of Morphett Vale High School, carrying a small bag thought that contained the card. 

Some sources claim this was the last sighting of Rhianna, though I also read several articles that stated there was another sighting of her at 4.00 pm standing alone at the junction of David Terrace and Acre Avenue which is approximately a 6-minute walk from her home on Wakefield avenue. 

At approximately 4.10 pm Paula Barreau returned to her family home to find the door locked. When she entered the house she was met with a record lying on the floor, and the tv still on. On the dining room table was a card that Rhianna had bought for her pen pal, still there in its plastic wrapper. While Rhianna's personal belongings were still in the house, there was no sign of her daughter. 

Paula searched inside and outside and knocked on the door of her neighbor's houses but there was no sign of Rhianna. Although Paula had hoped that maybe she accidentally overstayed at a friend's house, she knew deep down this was unlikely, by 6 pm the police were contacted. 

A neighbor of Rhianna's reported hearing a young girl screaming on the afternoon of the disappearance, but was unknown if this was related to the case. 

Searches for Rhianna at the time were widespread and thorough, but unfortunately, nothing has been found to lead to an arrest. 

Police think due to Rhianna's age and lack of contact from her for nearly 30 years they can assume Rhianna is no longer alive. They believe she was likely murdered not long after she was abducted.

In 2015 South Australian police launched an operation that persists to help solve South Australian unsolved murders, including Rhianna's. 

Police are offering immunity and a 1 million dollar reward for information and led to the arrest of the disappearance or murder of Rhianna.