By Andrew Hedgman

Copyright news

Ms Goodwin, 39, was reported missing on Friday, July 19, 2002, after leaving her Port Lincoln home on Moonta Crescent. She was last seen around lunchtime following a shopping trip to Coles and Woolworths.

Her vehicle was later found in her driveway at about 4.45pm the same day.

On Tuesday, detectives launched a fresh, intensive search for her remains, 23 years after she disappeared.

The operation is focusing on a property in Pamir Circuit, Port Lincoln.

Ms Goodwin’s home is less than 400m away.

Specialised radar equipment provided by Australian Federal Police is being used, and the search is expected to take several days.

Police believe Ms Goodwin was murdered, and despite extensive searches in the Port Lincoln area in the past 20 years, her remains have never been located.

Detective Inspector Andrew Macrae described it as “a tragedy” that Ms Goodwin’s family had gone 23 years without answers.

“Major crime detectives will continue to actively investigate this and all cold case crimes to provide families with the answers they are seeking and bring those responsible to justice,” Inspector Macrae said.

Investigators have previously indicated that Ms Goodwin may have been killed by someone very close to her.

In 2017, Detective Superintendent Des Bray said police did not believe Ms Goodwin had run away or been involved in an accident.

“We are firm in our belief that she was murdered,” Superintendent Bray said at the time.

“In a case like this, history shows us it’s not uncommon for the offender to be someone related to the victim, friends or closely associated. We think it’s most likely she was murdered by somebody that she knew well.”

Inspector Macrae said on Tuesday that ongoing investigations had eliminated several persons of interest, but detectives believed there were still individuals in the Port Lincoln community with knowledge of what happened to Ms Goodwin.

Police have long believed that her body was disposed of within a 30km radius of the town and more than one person may have been involved, particularly in the disposal of her remains.

Ms Goodwin had only her clothes and about $140 with her when she disappeared.

She was last expected to pick up her partner, Michele Peterson, from work. She later found fresh meat prepared for the evening meal when she arrived home.

Police have previously indicated that Ms Goodwin may have been with other people when she died and could have been buried in a shallow grave.

She was known to use drugs socially; however, police do not believe her disappearance was due to an accidental overdose.

In 2003, Ms Peterson pleaded for public help to solve the mystery.

“I think the possibility of her being alive is pretty slim. I think she’s probably dead, but it would just be good to know,” Ms Peterson said.

“There has got to be somebody out there who must know what has happened to her. It would be good to be able to put it to rest so I can get on with life.”

A reward of up to $200,000 is being offered to anyone who provides information leading to the conviction of those responsible and/or the recovery of Ms Goodwin’s remains.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online.

Detectives are expected to provide a further update on the investigation later on Tuesday.