Cold Case Breakthrough: Jailed Former Executive Accused of Abducting Teenager 44 Years Ago

A cold case investigation has taken a dramatic turn as a jailed former hospitality executive has been accused of abducting a young woman over four decades ago. The 62-year-old man, already serving time for heinous crimes committed between 1980 and 1997, was apprehended by detectives who have been tirelessly working on the cold case disappearances of three Lake Macquarie teenagers.

Gordana Kotevski, Robyn Hickie, and Amanda Robinson vanished without a trace between 1979 and 1994, leaving their families devastated and desperate for answers. The renewed investigation into their disappearances has now led to a breakthrough in the form of an alleged abduction that occurred in 1980. The survivor, who bravely came forward, recounted a harrowing ordeal where she was forcibly taken from Gateshead in the Lake Macquarie area and subjected to injuries inflicted by a man. Miraculously, she managed to escape with her life.

The accused, who would have been a mere 18 or 19 years old at the time, now faces four historical charges, including forcible abduction with intent to commit a sexual offense. As the case unfolds, the public eagerly awaits the next court appearance scheduled for March 15.

The disappearances of Gordana, Robyn, and Amanda have haunted the community for decades. Despite extensive investigations, no trace of the girls has ever been found. Robyn Hickie, 18 years old at the time, was last seen standing at a bus stop on the Pacific Highway, Belmont North, on April 7, 1979. Just two weeks later, 14-year-old Amanda Robinson vanished after attending a dance at her high school in Gateshead. She was last seen walking along Lake Road, Swansea, on April 21. Gordana Kotevski, the youngest of the trio, was forcibly taken into a car on Powell Street, Charlestown, on November 24, 1994, and has not been seen since.

The heartache and anguish experienced by the families of these missing girls cannot be overstated. Gordana’s aunt, Julie Talevski, expressed the ongoing pain, saying, “Not a day goes by that we don’t think about the what-ifs. Gordana was young, joyous, innocent, and then she was gone.”

As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward. In a bid to encourage cooperation, rewards of $1 million (US$659,960 million) remain on offer for any information that leads to convictions in these cases. The hope is that justice will finally be served, bringing closure to the families and shedding light on the fate of these three young girls who were taken too soon.

This gripping turn of events has captivated the nation, as the dark secrets of the past are slowly unraveled. The accused’s connection to the hospitality industry adds an eerie layer to the story, raising questions about the potential involvement of others and the extent of his crimes. With each new revelation, the truth inches closer, and the community holds its breath, hoping for justice to prevail.