The enigma of the disappearance of Marcia Ryan, a 24-year-old case, persists, shrouded in mystery, haunting her family to this day.
It was on August 19, 1996, that Marcia Ryan, accompanied by her devoted canine companion Ziggy, vanished without a trace, leaving behind only a trail of photographs. This account was published in the Latrobe Valley Express.
The departure of Marcia Anne Ryan from her residence on Larool Crescent in Seaford marked the beginning of this mysterious tale. She set forth to visit her parents, who were engaged in their annual sojourn to Queensland.
The first inklings that something was amiss emerged when Marcia's older brother, Tony, perceived irregularities after perusing the 33-year-old's answering machine, a habit he had developed during her absence.
“She communicated with our parents over the weekend, expressing her indisposition without further expounding on its nature, affirming her intention to journey down and meet them on Monday,” he recounted.
“Two days following Marcia’s departure to visit our parents, our mother, Johanna, contacted me, concerned about her whereabouts. I attempted to assuage her worries, mentioning the considerable duration it takes to traverse the distance between home and Queensland. Later, a resident from Trafalgar left a message on her answering machine, disclosing the discovery of her wallet on the highway median near Darnum.
“This struck me as exceedingly peculiar. Subsequently, I journeyed to the Latrobe Valley, retrieved the wallet, and then proceeded to the authorities.
“On a Saturday, another message on the answering machine, this time from VicRoads, indicated the necessity to remove her car, abandoned on the highway for several days.
“On the Saturday of August 24, I arrived at the vehicle situated by the roadside. I gained access and conducted an inspection, finding no signs of disturbance. It was later that day when the Crime Investigation Unit (CIU) contacted me, marking the gravity of the situation."
Victoria Police reported the discovery of Marcia’s abandoned tan Mitsubishi Sigma sedan, with registration DUP002, on August 20, as well as her wallet found near Darnum on the highway, a day later.
The final sighting of Marcia was by a truck driver offering her a lift at 11:50 pm on August 19. She was observed walking away from her parked vehicle along the highway in the direction of Morwell. Despite the offer, she declined, and the driver noted her distressed countenance.
On September 5, 1996, The Express documented a substantial police search conducted along the Princes Highway roadside near Moe, featuring 20 State Emergency Service (SES) members, five task force detectives, and police search and rescue personnel.
Detective Inspector John Noonan stressed the importance of Latrobe Valley residents reporting any sightings or information about Marcia. The pursuit intensified on September 26, involving 150 police personnel scouring the Princes Highway from Darnum to Morwell, even including an aerial scan facilitated by a police helicopter.
Yet, 24 years have passed, leaving Tony Ryan and the remaining family no closer to uncovering the truth behind Marcia’s and her faithful Heeler/Border Collie cross, Ziggy’s disappearance.
"Three years ago, a resident from Trafalgar came forth, recounting a narrative from her brother-in-law that suggested Marcia might be interred in Moondarra State Park. While several others have hinted at this, confirmation remains elusive," Tony shared.
"The ordeal of a missing family member invokes extreme thoughts. For a while, we pondered if the body found belonged to Marcia when Jarrad Lovison was discovered, as there were no specific details initially. I had to contact the authorities to ascertain it wasn’t her.
“Numerous individuals have offered vague insights, yet I seek precision, the missing piece to unravel my sister’s whereabouts. I've even contemplated exploring Moondarra State Park once I retire.
"We've diligently pursued leads, engaging in an investigation long before the era of COVID-19.
"We yearn for closure, for without closure, solace eludes us.
“There’s a period of six weeks annually when she dominates our thoughts. Her birthday on July 19, followed by Missing Persons Week on August 2, and the anniversary of her disappearance on August 19.
“Those withholding crucial information should contemplate the distress it inflicts. I implore them to approach the authorities, sparing families the agony.”
Tony also alluded to another tragic incident in the family's history that profoundly impacted Marcia’s formative years.
“In 1980, my older sister Dianne was tragically struck and killed by teenagers in a stolen car. Marcia, aged 17 at the time, was the first to arrive at the scene.
“Marcia underwent a tumultuous period after that incident, experiencing a breakdown. However, she eventually reconstituted herself and, at the time of her disappearance, was relishing a fulfilling life—engaged in renovating her home, relishing motorcycle rides in the Dandenongs, radiating with contentment," he recounted.
Marcia, the youngest among five siblings, saw the passing of her parents, Johanna and John, as well as her brother Mark. Her brothers Paul and Tony endure.
Her aunt and former employer, Thea Thomson, reflected on her niece, describing her as a vivacious individual who cherished life and her faithful canine companion.
“She was a remarkable person, dear to my heart. She dedicated a decade to working at W. Thomson and Sons, displaying brilliance, precision, honesty, and dependability,” Thea reminisced.
“Marcia and Ziggy were frequent dinner guests at our place. We’d engage in convivial games like pool, reveling in each other’s company.
“She exuded zest for life, exploring varied interests, from motorcycles to scuba diving. I speculated after her disappearance, considering the possibility that she desired an escape. However, the theory didn’t align with her character. She left everything behind, meticulously organized—down to the minutiae, such as leaving her toothbrush at home, a habit she fastidiously adhered to.
“Her bank account lay dormant, untouched.
“The notion that someone could overpower her was difficult to fathom, for she was resolute. The ambiguity of the situation impeded my acceptance; it took me two years to come to terms with her disappearance.
“Tony and I ventured to the Moondara state forest, conducting searches on one or two occasions. His pursuit remains unwavering, his inquiries unceasing.
“Ziggy’s loyalty was extraordinary, never straying from her side.
“Marcia once mentioned that she’d leave food for Ziggy in the morning, and upon returning home, the food remained untouched because Ziggy awaited Marcia's return to partake.
“Ziggy would fiercely protect her; it’s inconceivable that if foul play were involved, Ziggy wouldn’t have fought back. They were inseparable.
“I’ll forever miss her. Even during the ordeal of my sister, Marcia's mother, battling cancer on her deathbed, she clung to a photograph of both her daughters, expressing her hope of finally uncovering Marcia's fate."
The case of Marcia Ryan remains unresolved. Her vanishing, an enduring enigma since August 19, 1996, when she pledged to reunite with her parents in Queensland.
Yesterday heralded the commencement of National Missing Persons Week, an annual initiative spearheaded by the Australia Federal Police to raise awareness about missing persons.
As part of the commemoration, the AFP has launched a social media campaign titled "I’ll See You Later," chronicling the experiences of families of missing individuals.
Jodie McEwan, NMPCC co-ordinator, expressed her anticipation that this initiative would furnish both families and investigators with answers to lingering questions, providing the community with insights into the unremitting grief and bereavement experienced by the loved ones of missing individuals.
"These concise videos illustrate these individuals as vibrant human beings, each with aspirations and passions, lingering in the memories of those left behind," she explained.
"They transcend mere statistics or faces on a missing persons poster.
"We earnestly hope the community resonates with these stories and urge anyone with even the smallest piece of information to contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000."
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