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Law enforcement have accused a man with homicide, mere moments following skeletal remains were found during a search for the remains of a woman who vanished over two decades previously.

Breakthrough in Longstanding Investigation

This finding of human remains, thought to be those of a 39-year-old woman, buried in the garden of a house in Port Lincoln, a southern state, signaled a significant advancement in the cold case.

Homicide detectives took into custody and accused a 64-year-old local man with the killing of Goodwin, who was last seen in July 2002.

Court Appearance

The suspect was due to face charges in the local judicial court on Thursday.

Investigation Details

Earlier, authorities stated they had paused their search after the discovery of bones at a Port Lincoln address during preliminary excavations.

An anthropologist from Forensic Science SA and extra resources from the evidence collection section and major crime division were dispatched to the town to verify if the bones were human and proceed with the dig.

Investigators had been using specialised radar equipment to scan a property on Pamir Court, which adjoins Moonta Crescent, where the missing woman had resided.

Relatives' Long Wait

On Tuesday, a lead investigator commented that it was “heartbreaking that the victim’s family have endured the last 23 years without answers”.

Case History

Goodwin was spotted around lunchtime on a July day in 2002, after running errands at local supermarkets in the area.

Authorities had earlier stated she was killed “by someone who was very close to her” and believe the perpetrator still resides in the town.

Several years ago, investigators revealed that a call for tips for information had led to seven potential suspects being eliminated by the probe.

A financial incentive of up to $200,000 is available for information leading to the conviction of Goodwin’s killer and/or evidence that helps locate the discovery of her body.