Cold Case Breakthrough: Ex-Partner Speaks Out After 28 Years
"He told me he burned his clothes and shoes in the fireplace that night."
GIN GIN, Queensland – Nearly three decades after the disappearance of 15-year-old Rebecca Richardson, a crucial new witness has come forward. Lisa, the ex-partner of convicted accessory Stephen Van Der Vegt, has broken her silence for the first time.
The Alibi Shattered
Lisa claims that on the very night Rebecca vanished in 1998, Van Der Vegt confessed to destroying evidence. According to her testimony, he stated he burned his clothes and shoes in a fireplace. He allegedly went further, telling her he would "burn and bury" Rebecca's body.
- The Alleged Confession: Van Der Vegt reportedly later pointed to a specific location at a rubbish tip, claiming that was where the body was disposed of.
- Living in Fear: Lisa stated she fled with her son and lived in hiding for years, driven by a deep fear of Van Der Vegt. "I didn't initially believe he was guilty," she said, "but I later cooperated with police."
The Unsolved Crime
Rebecca Richardson vanished from the Santa Fair in Gin Gin in 1998. Tragically, her father had died just one month prior, leaving her and her sister in the care of the Van Der Vegt family.
To date, Rebecca's body has never been found, and no one has been convicted of her murder.
A Flawed Conviction
In a case that has haunted the community, Stephen Van Der Vegt was initially charged with murder. However, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge:
- Charge: Accessory after the fact to murder.
- Sentence: He served eight years in prison.
New Evidence, New Inquiry
The case has been reopened. A coronial inquest has been granted and is currently ongoing.
Van Der Vegt is currently incarcerated on unrelated drug charges. Lisa's testimony, given to police and now made public, is expected to be a key piece of evidence in the fresh investigation.