The Disappearance of Pauline Sowry

The Disappearance of Pauline Sowry

Author: Bravecasting March 22, 2026 Duration: 42:09

Pauline Sowry disappeared from Wollongong’s northern suburbs in December 1993 at the age of 49.

An inquest in 2008 found she likely died after a reported sighting the following year, yet her body has never been located, and the case has continued to develop with a dedicated police task force in 2022, a 500 thousand dollar reward announced in 2024, and a charge laid then withdrawn in 2025.

One of Pauline's children, Jason Lawrence joins us to share who his mother was and the lasting impact her disappearance has had on their family.

Do you have information regarding any of the cases discussed on this podcast? Please report it on the Crime Stoppers website or by calling 1800 333 000.

Wanting to hear about certain kinds of crime? Check out our Spotify playlists for a curated list of our episodes.

Join our Facebook Group here. 


For Support:

Lifeline  on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

Blue Knot Helpline: 1300 657 380

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie

Guests: Jason Lawrence

Executive Producer/Editor: Matthew Tankard

This episode contains extra content from NINE Entertainment.


GET IN TOUCH:

https://www.australiantruecrimethepodcast.com/

Follow the show on Instagram @australiantruecrimepodcast and Facebook 

Email the show at AusTrueCrimePodcast@gmail.com


For those drawn to the shadows that linger just beyond the backyard fence, Australian True Crime offers a compelling and often unsettling exploration. Hosted by Meshel Laurie, whose genuine fascination with the genre drives every conversation, this podcast delves into the stories that unfold in the very streets and suburbs we think we know. It moves beyond the headlines to examine the intricate, human details of cases that have shocked the nation. Laurie’s approach is characterised by thorough research and a commitment to presenting multiple perspectives. Each episode is built around interviews with a range of voices, including journalists who have covered the cases, investigators who worked the scenes, and at times, the victim survivors or even perpetrators themselves. This method provides a multi-faceted view, probing the underbelly of Australian communities to uncover the complex realities behind the crime. Listening to this podcast feels like sitting down for a deep, sometimes difficult, but always engrossing discussion about the darker threads woven into the fabric of Australian life. It’s for anyone who understands that true crime is, at its core, about people and place, and that the most mysterious tales are often those closest to home.
Author: Language: en-au Episodes: 100

Australian True Crime
Podcast Episodes
Shortcut: Dezi Freeman Dead After Months in Hiding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:09
This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Fugitive Dezi Freeman has been shot dead by Australian police after seven months on t…
Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:02
This is part 2 of our conversation with former Homicide Detective, Charlie Bezzina about the lesser known cases from his 38 year career with Victoria Police. You can listen to part 1 "Episode 737: Strange Investigations…
Shortcut: Strange Investigations with Charlie Bezzina - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:45
This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. This is part 2 of our conversation with former Homicide Detective, Charlie Bezzina ab…
Should Sex Offenders Keep Their Super? Re-Issue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:42
Yesterday, (March 25th 2026), the Albanese Government introduced legislation known as the Survivors Law, aimed at preventing convicted child sexual abusers from using superannuation to shield assets from unpaid court-ord…
Shortcut: The Disappearance of Pauline Sowry [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:21
This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. Pauline Sowry disappeared from Wollongong’s northern suburbs in December 1993 at the…
A victim’s perspective of the mental impairment defence *re-issue* [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:18
David Cammarata’s childhood best friend is currently a forensic patient in a secure psychiatric facility. He was found not guilty of the machete murder of his own brother at a suburban shopping centre and of stalking and…
The Young Woman a Country Town Didn’t Believe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:15
In 2016, a woman reported that she was sexually assaulted at a birthday party in the small western Victorian town of Balmoral. The case divided the close-knit community and led to a complex legal process involving an app…
Shortcut: The Young Woman a Country Town Didn’t Believe [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:40
This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed. In 2016, a woman reported that she was sexually assaulted at a birthday party in the…