POLICE IN NORTHERN Ireland will today begin a renewed search operation for Caroline Graham, who went missing from her home in Portadown in 1989 when she was 19 years old.
The search operation will focus on waste ground in the Carleton Street area of Portadown, and is primarily designed to locate Caroline’s remains but also forms an integral part of the overall investigation into the teenager’s murder.
Caroline was living with her boyfriend in Hanover Street at the time of her disappearance in April 1989 but was originally from Newry. She had been living in the Portadown area for around two years prior to her disappearance.
Police have carried out a number of searches in the area surrounding her home over the years but Caroline’s body has not ever been found.
Detective Chief Inspector Gary Crawford, the officer in charge of the investigation, said that this stage of the operation will involve clearing away shrubbery and undergrowth so investigators can insert probes into the ground to determine the possible existence of human remains.
“We will have a range of assets on site to assist us in what could be a protracted operation. These will include a Body Recovery dog, earth moving machinery and specialist scanning equipment.
“Our search advisors will be working with other specialists from a variety of disciplines to determine as definitively as possible whether Caroline’s remains are buried at this location. Police have searched this site previously but science and technology have advanced in recent years to such an extent that we believe it is important to deploy the latest technology and resources in this case.”
Crawford said that Caroline’s parents, sister and brother are being kept informed of plans.
He appealed to anyone who may have any information about Caroline’s disappearance to contact 0845 600 8000 or directly on 028 9070 0727 or the office mobile on 075 8522 8283. Alternatively, people can provide information without giving their details to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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