Disappearance Of Michaela Godau

Michaela Godau was born in Germany on the 15th of April 1967. She migrated to Australia in November 1981 with her mother, stepfather, and her two brothers. They lived at Walpole Street, Davoren Park, together until her mother returned to work in Germany in July 1982. Michaela, her stepfather, and her brothers remained in Adelaide. 

 

Michaela was last seen going to bed at about 10.00 pm on Sunday, 19 December 1982. She was gone the following morning, and at 5.35 pm her stepfather reported her missing. 

 

When Michaela disappeared, her stepfather, Herwarth Godau, told police she had simply run away and take some cash, toiletries, and her passport.

But what he didn’t tell police was that child-welfare authorities had intervened several months before this amid concerns about Herwarth Godau's relationship with his 15-year-old stepdaughter.

Initially cooperative with detectives investigating the mystery, Mr. Godau hired a lawyer when they started to dig deeper into his activities following her disappearance.

 

While Major Crime detectives believe Michaela is no longer alive, Mrs. Godau, in her mid-70s, believes otherwise.

 

“I am a positive person and until I’m shown proof, I will always hope she is alive, that she ran away because she did not want to move back to Germany with the family,’’ she said.

 

“Maybe she arranged somehow that she could stay in Australia. She may have run away or she could have met with foul play.

 

Mrs. Godau, who has worked as a nurse in Victoria since 1988, said Michaela had a good relationship with her stepfather. (Quoted) “They got on quite well. When she wanted something, she would always go to him instead of me. She knew she would get her way,’’ she said. 

 

Major Crime case officer Detective Sergeant Paul Ward said he suspects the circumstances of Michaela’s disappearance may have been “concocted’’ to try to fool the police.

 

The God family had been living in Walpole St at Elizabeth Field, now Davoren Park, when Michaela vanished on Sunday, December 19, 1982. She and her elder brother Axel had been attending Fremont High School after the family emigrated to Adelaide in late 1981. Younger brother Jack was not yet attending school.

 

When Michaela vanished, Mrs. Godau was in Germany after having left Adelaide in July that year because she struggled to find work as a nurse. Because of this situation, the family had been planning to return to Germany.

 

Det-Sgt Ward said it appeared that Mr. Godau was not coping well with looking after the three children and he also had difficulty obtaining work.

 

He said Michaela was a quiet girl with few friends. Concerns had been raised by one of her friends that there “may have been some issues at home’’ and although not entirely clear what they were, there was some suggestion of friction between her and her stepfather.

“The concerns started at school with her friend. Michaela appeared to be withdrawn at that time and had spoken about issues,’’ Det-Sgt Ward said.

 

“There were some relationship difficulties between them. The Department of Child Welfare became involved.’’

 

Det-Sgt Ward said while Mrs. Godau was in Germany a decision had been made to sell the family home and a contract had been signed. In early December 1982, the prospective buyer had come to the house to negotiate the purchase of some furniture.

 

“When that person arrived at the property he had a conversation with Michaela and noticed she had an injury to her eye. It is unclear how that occurred,’’ Det-Sgt Ward said.

 

“On the night of the 19th, Michaela reportedly went to bed about 10 pm, and when the family woke the following morning she was gone.’’

 

Mr. Godau reported her missing on December 20, claiming that she had taken $460 in cash, some toiletries, her passport, and, strangely, some sleeping pills.

 

“Back then, $460 was a significant amount of money, and given that the family was struggling — the father was out of work — it is unexplained,’’ Det-Sgt Ward said.

 

“The inference from that is those items would suggest to any investigator she has run away.’’

 

Det-Sgt Ward said a formal approach was made to Mr. Godau to assist in the inquiry which led to him engaging a lawyer.

 

“He spoke to police initially but when he was asked about his Land Rover, he sought legal advice and that was it,’’ he said.

 

Investigations have revealed he sold the vehicle to a Northern Territory tourism operator in the late 1980s and it then disappeared.

 

“The opportunity to have that vehicle forensically examined was lost,’’ Det-Sgt Ward said.

 

Mr. Godau, who is now in his 70s, now lives at Salisbury Downs. Somewhat strangely, several businesses he has operated since Michaela vanished have featured her name.

 

The God case is a historical example where government agencies did not communicate as well with one another. In all likelihood, if welfare authorities and police were more coordinated back then the outcome could have been different for Michaela.

 

Child welfare authorities were aware concerns had been raised about Michaela’s wellbeing and alarm bells were ringing. They had even intervened, placing her in the care of Anglicare for short periods to defuse the issues at home but police were not advised.

 

It was over a decade ago that Major Crime detectives were able to obtain her file which contained vital information concerning allegations of inappropriate behavior.

 

Det-Sgt Sgt Ward said obtaining the file had assisted the investigation and had shed light on Michaela’s circumstances.

 

“A review of the information reveals there were alarm bells raised — several issues identified in the file raised investigators' concerns,’’ he said.

 

“There is certainly a very different regime in place now where we have excellent co-operation with Families SA.’’

 

Det-Sgt Ward said other immigrant friends of the Godau family were reluctant to speak with police at the time and he urged them to now come forward if they had information that could assist the inquiry. 

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Sources- 

Australian Missing persons register.

The Sunday Mail.

Nigel Hunt Adelaide now.