By Thomas Henry

Copyright news

Human remains, believed to be those of Susan Goodwin, were found buried in a backyard more than 23 years after the woman went missing and was presumed murdered.

The breakthrough in the cold case came after police began digging at a vacant property on Pamir Ct about 9am on Wednesday.

The discovery was made just after 10am, with an anthropologist from Forensic Science South Australia and additional resources from SAPOL’s Forensic Response Section and Major Crime Investigations travelling to Port Lincoln.

A police spokesman said the bones discovered during preliminary excavations of the site were confirmed to be human bones.

“I’m very, very confident that these remains are Susan’s,” the police spokesman said during a press conference on Wednesday afternoon.

Police have since charged a 64-year-old man from Port Lincoln in connection with the suspected murder.

He is set to appear in Port Lincoln Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Major Crime Investigation Branch Acting Detective Superintendent Andrew Macrae said the breakthrough followed an ongoing review of the cold case and all available evidence.

“It does not matter how old the case is, we will continue to review all available evidence and look for opportunities to resolve the matter,” he said.

“We would not have discovered these remains without information from the public.

“I would implore anyone who has information about any homicide to put themselves in the position of a family or friend of the victim and come forward by either contacting police directly or by contacting Crime Stoppers.”

A reward of up to $200,000 is available for information that leads to the recovery of Ms Goodwin’s remains or the conviction of those responsible for her disappearance and suspected murder.