Missing person: Cherie Westell

First name: Cherie

Last name: Westell

Date of disappearance: 12 December 2000

Location: Wantirna South, Victoria

Circumstances:

Cherie, who was days away from her 16th birthday at the time, was last seen on Tuesday, 12 December 2000 in Wantirna South.

Cherie was dropped off at Knox Dental Group at about 12pm for a dentist appointment. Cherie attended the dentist and left the practice at around 12.30pm.

At 1.58pm, Cherie telephoned home from a public telephone box situated on the corner of Selkirk Avenue and Wantirna Road, approximately five kilometres from the dentist.

Cherie spoke to a family member to let them know she intended to catch a train home to Ringwood. That was the last known contact anyone had with her.

At the time, Cherie was a ward of the state. Her previous foster mother, Frances, tried to make a police report immediately but was told a biological family member was required for that to occur.

As a result, the missing persons report was not filed until six days later.

When Cherie was reported missing, an investigation commenced, however any trace of Cherie was unable to be located.

A coronial inquest occurred in 2003, with the coroner finding that Cherie has most likely died.

Police are of the belief that Cherie most likely met with foul play.

Police have spoken to and been assisted by several witnesses over the past 22 years and investigators continue to pursue new information.

If you have any information that may assist police to locate Cherie, please call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or make an online report (under the category 'suspicious activity or other crime').

Missing persons list

Return to our missing persons list to see if you recognise a name or a face.