Cold Case Breakthrough: Human Remains Found, Man Charged over Susan Goodwin’s 2002 Disappearance
A dark shadow has lingered over Port Lincoln, South Australia, for more than two decades, haunting the family and friends of Susan Marie Goodwin. Her disappearance in July 2002 left loved ones in turmoil and a community desperate for answers.
Now, after 23 years, investigators believe they have achieved a breakthrough. On September 17, police discovered human remains during a targeted search. The following day, a 64-year-old man, John Mislov, was charged with her murder, marking a pivotal moment in one of South Australia’s most enduring mysteries.
A Day That Changed Everything
Susan Goodwin, originally from Wonthaggi, Victoria, was remembered as fun-loving and kind. On Friday, July 19, 2002, she was last seen shopping at Coles and Woolworths in Port Lincoln. Witnesses described her as distressed, though she still bought groceries for that evening’s dinner.
When she failed to pick up her partner, Michele Peterson, from work at 4:15 p.m., alarm bells rang. At their Moonta Crescent home, dinner was prepped in the fridge, the car sat locked in the driveway, and her personal belongings—including her toothbrush—remained untouched. Susan had vanished without a trace.
Despite extensive searches covering 25 square kilometres, no sign of her was found.
Years of Unanswered Questions
Investigations over the years uncovered fragments of clothing in 2005 and interviewed members of the local drug scene, but no solid leads emerged. Police suspected foul play and even suggested multiple people could have been involved in concealing her body.
A $200,000 reward was offered for information, and Susan’s case was regularly highlighted during National Missing Persons Week. Police cars carried her photo, posters were distributed across the community, and even prison inmates received playing cards featuring her case.
Her parents, Don and Margaret Goodwin, held onto hope until their deaths in 2017. They never learned what became of their daughter.
The Breakthrough
In September 2025, police renewed their search with advanced technology, including ground-penetrating radar, at a property on Pamir Court, near Susan’s former home. Bones were unearthed, and forensic anthropologists quickly confirmed they were human.
While DNA testing with relatives is still underway, investigators are “very confident” the remains belong to Susan Goodwin.
The discovery led to the arrest of John Mislov, a Port Lincoln resident who has now been charged with murder. He appeared in Port Lincoln Magistrates Court on September 18 and has yet to enter a plea.
A Step Toward Closure
For Susan’s surviving relatives and her long-time partner, the news is bittersweet. It provides long-sought answers but also revives grief that has lingered for over two decades.
In a statement, her family thanked authorities for their persistence. Police credited the result to ongoing reviews of evidence and crucial information provided by the public.
Acting Detective Superintendent Andrew Macrae said the case should bring reassurance to other families still waiting for answers in cold case homicides.
“This investigation is 23 years old and shows that Major Crime Investigation Branch will continue to pursue justice, no matter how much time has passed,” he said.
Enduring Impact
Susan Goodwin’s disappearance cast a long shadow across Port Lincoln. The uncertainty, the false leads, and the unanswered questions left scars that endured for years.
Now, with the discovery of remains and the charging of a suspect, there is finally a glimmer of resolution. Though nothing can undo the pain of loss, this breakthrough offers the possibility of justice—and the first step toward healing for all who loved Susan Goodwin.
John Mislov, 64, has been charged with the murder of Susan Goodwin. Picture: 7 NEWS
