On the 50th anniversary of her disappearance, detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have today announced a $1 million reward for information in relation to the suspicious disappearance of Eloise Worledge.
The reward is currently the only one of its kind in Victoria as it includes payment for information that leads to the location of Eloise's remains, not solely identifying who is responsible for her disappearance.
Eloise was reported missing to police by her parents on the morning of Tuesday, 13 January 1976.
The eight-year-old had last been seen in her bed about 11.40pm at their Scott Street, Beaumaris address the previous night.
Eloise was the eldest of three children and lived with her family at the home.
When her family awoke the next morning and started getting ready for the day, it became apparent Eloise was not with her siblings.
Her parents entered Eloise's room and found the flyscreen on her window cut and rolled open, and nothing else appeared to have been taken from the room.
Eloise was described as a quiet, intelligent child who would not have left home voluntarily.
Her disappearance has always been treated as suspicious and over the past five decades, police have conducted an exhaustive investigation to try and determine the circumstances of her disappearance and who is responsible.
At the time of her disappearance, police launched a major investigation and conducted one of the then largest search operations in Victoria.
Over 250 police were deployed over 18 days, conducting a systematic ground search of Beaumaris and nearby suburbs, including parks, reserves, vacant properties, and the foreshore.
Police also canvassed more than 6000 properties in the area.
No trace of Eloise was found.
Over the years, detectives have spoken with thousands of people, including undertaking multiple interviews of family, friends, neighbours and school contacts.
Information provided by members of the public including reported sightings and suspicious activity in the area was followed up, and police also made extensive enquiries both in Victoria and interstate in relation to various potential persons of interest.
Despite their efforts, no credible evidence has ever emerged that conclusively explained Eloise's disappearance or identified those responsible.
Police have also never located any evidence implicating either of her parents, mother Patricia and father Lindsay, in Eloise's disappearance.
At the time, the case received intense national media coverage and had been subject to a number of further appeals over the past five decades.
A taskforce was initially set up in 1976 to investigate Eloise's disappearance and the investigation has remained active since that time.
The case was reviewed by the Homicide squad in the early 2000s, which included re-examining persons of interest, a renewed public appeal, and conducting further forensic and intelligence enquiries.
Unfortunately, this did not provide police with any further avenues of enquiry.
In 2003, an inquest was held where the Coroner returned an open finding stating that it was not possible on the evidence to find who was responsible for Eloise' disappearance and presumed death.
In 2023, the case was reviewed by the Missing Persons Squad as part of a request from the Board of Enquiry looking at alleged sexual offenders linked to the Beaumaris Primary School, which Eloise attended at the time of her disappearance.
Police were not able to determine any links between the reported alleged offending at the school and Eloise's disappearance, however any new information provided in relation to this will be thoroughly assessed.
Since her disappearance in 1976, there have been no confirmed sightings of Eloise and police sadly hold the belief that Eloise has been murdered.
At the time of Eloise's disappearance, a $10,000 reward was offered and today police announcing an increase in that reward to $1M.
A reward of up to $1 million will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police, for information leading to the discovery of Eloise's remains or apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for her disappearance.
The Director of Public Prosecutions may also consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.
Anyone with information about the disappearance of Eloise Worledge is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Dave Dunstan, Missing Persons Squad:
"There is no doubt that in many ways, the announcement of this reward is bittersweet for Eloise's family.
"While it may provide them with answers about what happened to her, or even result in information that leads to police locating Eloise, what this can't do is bring her back.
"It cannot give them the 50 years they have missed with their daughter and sister; 50 years that have been so cruelly taken from them.
"I know that those decades have been incredibly difficult for Eloise's family and to this day, they live with the trauma of her disappearance and it continues to impact them.
"I also know that Eloise's parents not only passed away without ever knowing what became of their daughter, but they also endured years of unfair speculation that they were involved.
"I want to be very clear that police have never been able to locate any evidence to implicate either of Eloise's parents in their daughter's appearance.
"Eloise would be 58 years old if she was alive today. She has missed growing up, finishing school, travelling, building a career, starting a family.
"While 50 years is a long time, it is not so long that this case cannot still be solved or Eloise's remains located.
"It's not so long that there isn't potentially someone out there who may have information about who was responsible for Elouise's disappearance and where she is now.
"Whatever the reason those people may have had for not coming forward previously, I am hoping they can put those aside and provide that information to police now. For anyone who may have had preconceived notions about this case and what happened, I urge you set those aside and talk to us.
"The disappearance and likely death of a child is a crime that strikes at the heart of our community, no matter how many years have passed.
"Victoria Police remains committed to solving this case and more than anything, being able to lay Eloise to rest and hold those responsible for her disappearance to account."
