Reward: Eloise Worledge

On the 50th anniversary of her disappearance, detectives from the Missing Persons Squad have announced a $1 million reward for information in relation to the suspicious disappearance of Eloise Worledge.

The reward is currently the only one of its kind in Victoria as it includes payment for information that leads to the location of Eloise’s remains, not solely identifying who is responsible for her disappearance.

Details of the case

Eloise was reported missing to police by her parents on the morning of Tuesday, 13 January 1976.

The eight-year-old had last been seen in her bed about 11.40pm at their Scott Street, Beaumaris address the previous night.

When her family awoke the next morning and started getting ready for the day, it became apparent Eloise was not with her siblings.

Her parents entered Eloise’s room and found the flyscreen on her window cut and rolled open, and nothing else appeared to have been taken from the room.

Eloise was the eldest of three children and lived with her family at the home. She was described as a quiet, intelligent child who would not have left home voluntarily.

Her disappearance has always been treated as suspicious and over five decades, police have conducted an exhaustive investigation to try and determine the circumstances of her disappearance and who is responsible.

At the time of her disappearance, police launched a major investigation and conducted one of the then largest search operations in Victoria.

Over 250 police were deployed over 18 days, conducting a systematic ground search of Beaumaris and nearby suburbs, including parks, reserves, vacant properties, and the foreshore.

Police also canvassed more than 6000 properties in the area. No trace of Eloise was found.

Searching for Eloise over the years

Over the years, detectives have spoken with thousands of people, including undertaking multiple interviews of family, friends, neighbours and school contacts.

Information provided by members of the public including reported sightings and suspicious activity in the area was followed up, and police also made extensive enquiries both in Victoria and interstate in relation to various potential persons of interest.

Despite their efforts, no credible evidence has ever emerged that conclusively explained Eloise’s disappearance or identified those responsible.

Police have also never located any evidence implicating either of her parents, mother Patricia and father Lindsay, in Eloise’s disappearance.

At the time, the case received intense national media coverage and had been subject to a number of further appeals over the past five decades.

A taskforce was initially set up in 1976 to investigate Eloise’s disappearance and the investigation has remained active since that time.

The case was reviewed by the Homicide squad in the early 2000s, which included re-examining persons of interest, a renewed public appeal, and conducting further forensic and intelligence enquiries. Unfortunately, this did not provide police with any further avenues of enquiry.

In 2003, an inquest was held where the Coroner returned an open finding stating that it was not possible on the evidence to find who was responsible for Eloise’ disappearance and presumed death.

In 2023, the case was reviewed by the Missing Persons Squad as part of a request from the Board of Enquiry looking at alleged sexual offenders linked to the Beaumaris Primary School, which Eloise attended at the time of her disappearance.

Police were not able to determine any links between the reported alleged offending at the school and Eloise’s disappearance, however any new information provided in relation to this will be thoroughly assessed.

Since her disappearance in 1976, there have been no confirmed sightings of Eloise and police sadly hold the belief that Eloise has been murdered.

$1 million reward

At the time of Eloise’s disappearance, a $10,000 reward was offered. Police have announced an increase in that reward to $1 million.

A reward of up to $1 million will be paid at the discretion of the Chief Commissioner of Police, for information leading to the discovery of Eloise’s remains or apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for her disappearance.

The Director of Public Prosecutions may also consider, according to established guidelines, the granting of indemnification from prosecution to any person who provides information as to the identity of the principal offender or offenders in this matter.

Rewards list

Return to our Rewards list to see if you have any information that could help police.