South Australia’s Major Crime detectives have revived a chilling 25-year-old cold case, returning to Garden Island in hopes of finally locating the remains of Melissa Trussell, who vanished along with her mother, Rosemary Brown, in the year 2000.
Rosemary Brown’s decomposed body was discovered among the Garden Island mangroves in what became one of South Australia’s most haunting unsolved murder cases. However, her 15-year-old daughter, Melissa, was never found. Now, with advances in forensic technology and renewed leads, authorities are once again searching the remote tidal zone for answers.
The renewed investigation has been supported by retired police diver Peter Menz, who played a crucial role in the original 2000 recovery operation. Speaking exclusively to 9News, Menz recounted the moment he was called to Garden Island, a scene that has remained etched in his memory after decades of service.
“It was a request from Port Vixen 10, to assist with a body badly decomposed, female,” Menz said.
He and other officers were among the first on the scene in 2000 when Brown’s remains were recovered. At the time, police set up a full crime scene with forensic units combing the area, but were unable to locate Melissa.
“We were there for a while, we had a bit of a look around but because it was dark we couldn’t do a proper search that night due to the lighting,” Menz recalled.
Although extensive searches followed in the days after, Melissa Trussell’s body was never found, leaving the case unsolved and her family without closure.
Now, major crime detectives have returned to the Garden Island area, conducting new searches throughout the past month. Police have not publicly disclosed the information that led to the renewed efforts, but the decision suggests a significant development in the investigation.
Menz supports the re-investigation, noting how search capabilities have dramatically evolved since 2000.
“We did a thorough job at the time, but technology and tactics have changed. I think it’s very good they’re going back. We would all like to see closure — especially for the family,” he said.
Police remain tight-lipped about any potential suspects or discoveries, but it is clear the case has never been forgotten. The original investigation linked the deaths to foul play, with authorities believing the mother and daughter were murdered — but no one has ever been charged.
The renewed attention on the case brings hope that new evidence may emerge. Whether it’s through advanced ground-penetrating radar, DNA technology, or public tips, detectives are determined to provide long-awaited answers.
“Obviously they’ve got some good information,” said Menz. “Hopefully this case will finally be solved.”
The Garden Island area, located north of Port Adelaide, is known for its dense mangrove forests and tidal inlets, making search operations difficult and highly dependent on environmental conditions. The passage of time has made this search especially challenging, but authorities remain confident that modern techniques could yield results that weren’t possible two decades ago.
The unsolved murders of Rosemary Brown and her daughter Melissa remain one of South Australia’s most haunting mysteries. For the families involved, the renewed investigation is a glimmer of hope in a case that has gone unanswered for far too long.
