Clothing found in bushland search may offer clues to 30-year mystery of missing mum Pauline Sowry

A shirt that may help investigations into the disappearance of Pauline Sowry in 1993. Photo: NSW Police.

Illawarra police have found items of clothing in bushland that may be connected to the disappearance of Wollongong mum Pauline Sowry more than 30 years ago.

Officers attached to Wollongong and Lake Illawarra Police Districts searched the Illawarra escarpment at Figtree in March and May 2023 and October 2024 as part of their investigations into Pauline’s suspicious disappearance in December 1993.

As a result of the three searches, a number of clothing items were located and seized.

The clothing items are described as a cream button-down long-sleeve blouse with a coloured stitching design and black pants.

Strike Force Anthea was established in 2022 to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline’s disappearance.

Pauline, also known by her married name of Pauline Lawrence, was 49 when her family last saw her in Wollongong’s northern suburbs in 1993.

Her son, Jason Lawrence, hopes the clothing discovery could lead to a breakthrough in the investigation.

“We don’t want to spend another Christmas not knowing what happened to mum,” he said.

“We deserve to know what happened to her and to give her a proper send-off and lay her to rest.

“We know someone out there knows something – as you prepare to spend Christmas with your own family, we are pleading for you to come forward and give us some closure by knowing what happened to my beloved mum.”

Jason Lawrence with his mum Pauline Sowry, who went missing 30 years ago. Photos: NSW Police.

Details on the shirt found in bushland.

A scarf found in the escarpment near Figtree.

NSW Police hope the clothing items may jog someone's memory about Pauline's disappearance.

In 2008, a Coronial inquest found that Pauline had died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994.

In March 2024, the NSW Government and Police announced a $500,000 reward for information. Then, two months later, issued an appeal for information about a vehicle Pauline may have been travelling in south of Wollongong around the time of her disappearance.

It was described as a white 1968-model Holden HK Kingswood sedan, which was said to be in pristine condition.

Southern Region Commander Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar said the clothing could be a crucial piece in the investigation to determine Pauline’s final movements.

“We are releasing these images to try to jog someone’s memory,” he said.

“The clothing includes some hand stitching in coloured cotton, and we know Pauline was known for altering both her and her children’s clothing.

“We are not ruling out further searches as we continue to investigate the circumstances of Pauline’s disappearance. Pauline’s family deserve to know what happened to her and to get some closure following her disappearance.”

Anyone who has information about the suspicious disappearance of Pauline Sowry should contact Wollongong Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You can do so anonymously.