Man arrested three decades after NSW woman Pauline Sowry disappeared from Wollongong
A man has been arrested three decades after a New South Wales mother disappeared and three years after her cold case was reopened.
Pauline Sowry, also known by her married name Pauline Lawrence, was 49 when last seen by her family in the northern suburbs of Wollongong in December 1993.
Her whereabouts remain unknown, although a 2008 coronial inquest found she had died, most likely after an unconfirmed sighting in 1994.
Police said a 64-year-old man was arrested on Thursday at a unit in Gywnneville. He remained in custody.
Pauline's son, Jason Lawrence, said: 'We have waited more than 30 years.'
'We welcome today's news that a person has been arrested in relation to the suspicious disappearance of our beloved mum,' he said.
'We miss her every day, and her disappearance has taken a huge toll on myself and our entire family. We thank the police officers for never giving up hope and we look forward to the outcome of this investigation.'
Police reopened the investigation in 2022. In December 2024, police found black pants and a cream button-down blouse with white and orange stitching after searching the Illawarra escarpment at Figtree.
Police did not confirm whether the clothing belonged to Sowry but said the items included hand-stitching in coloured cotton and the mother was known for altering clothing for herself and her children.
In March last year, the police and state government announced a $500,000 reward for information leading to the 'arrest and conviction of anyone responsible'.
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Responses to that announcement led officers to search bushland, including in October 2024.
NSW police's southern region assistant commissioner, Joe Cassar, said on Thursday: 'I made a promise that the NSW police would leave no stone unturned to seek a resolution and the persistence and effort by my officers has resulted in today's arrest.'
'I commend the tireless commitment of our officers in finding answers for Pauline's family and they continue to work hard to bring this matter before the courts,' he said.
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