By Emmanuel Dominic 
Missing Woman Case from 1996 Upgraded to Murder Probe
The investigation into the 1996 disappearance of Melbourne woman Marcia Ryan has been reopened by Victoria Police, following the emergence of new evidence and public interest sparked by an ABC true crime radio series. While the case has not been officially upgraded to a murder probe, detectives are actively re-examining the circumstances surrounding her disappearance.
Marcia Ryan, then 33 years old, vanished on the night of August 19, 1996, after stopping her Mitsubishi Sigma on the Princes Freeway near Moe, Victoria, while en route to visit her parents in Queensland. Her dog, Ziggy, was with her at the time. Her car was later found abandoned, and her wallet was discovered on the roadside at Darnum, approximately 23 kilometers away. Despite extensive searches and numerous reported sightings, neither Marcia nor her dog have been found.
Recent developments include the discovery that the petrol gauge on Marcia’s car was faulty, suggesting it may not have been out of fuel as initially believed. Witnesses have also come forward with new information, including sightings of Marcia with two unidentified men near her vehicle and reports of a woman hiding in nearby bushes.
Detective Senior Constable Rachel Lamont stated that a dedicated team is reviewing the case files and that a new search could be initiated if further areas of interest are identified. The police are hopeful that renewed public attention will lead to additional information that could shed light on Marcia’s disappearance.
Marcia’s family continues to seek answers, with her brother Tony Ryan actively involved in the search efforts, including plans to investigate areas like Moondarra State Park based on tips received over the years. The family remains hopeful that the renewed investigation will bring closure to the decades-old mystery.
