Remains found of backpacker who disappeared 23 years ago
Police have located the remains of a backpacker who was last seen 23 years ago.
In 2001, Kellie Ann Carmichael, who was 24 at the time, left her hostel in Katoomba to go for a walk and was never seen again.
Now during an unrelated search in the Blue Mountains bushland, NSW Police have located human remains that, after initial testing, have been confirmed to be the young backpacker from Geelong.
At the time of her disappearance, Kellie was last seen by staff at a Katoomba hostel on 29th April 2001, as she had told staff she would return that day to collect her belongings.
Her parents contacted hostel staff on May 5th, and after discovering her belongings were still at reception, they reported her missing to police.
After police launched an investigation into her disappearance, it was believed that Carmichael had taken her own life, due to her ongoing struggles with schizophrenia.
However, Kellie's mother Margaret knew her daughter wouldn't commit suicide, telling the Geelong Advertiser, "We know that, and everyone who knew her knows that."
"She wasn't well at the time but she loved life and was a beautiful girl."
Her father, John, said the grim developments had taken their toll on the couple, who are now hoping to take her remains back home to Victoria.
In 2011, a $200,000 reward was issued for information related to the case, after a coronial inquest ruled Carmichael had died but was unable to provide a direct cause or circumstances.
Carmichael’s parents have previously said they felt robbed by their daughter’s mysterious disappearance.
“We’ve never had the chance to have our daughter … our family has never been the same,” Margaret Carmichael said in 2011.
Image credits: Missing Persons Register / NSW Police