A coroner hopes a reward will help solve the mystery surrounding the apparent murder of a 13-year-old girl whose half-naked body was found near a west Sydney suburban centre. Police have
the death of Michelle Pogmore as a homicide since her body was found early on February 22, 2004 near bushland at the Mount Druitt town centre.
The Bidwell teenager was last seen about 9pm on February 20 after leaving a street party in Mt Druitt. Police told Westmead Coroners Court that their investigations had not led to any charges in connection with her killing.
Coroner Carl Milovanovich delivered an open finding, saying he will recommend to NSW Police Commissioner Ken Moroney that a reward be posted for any
information about the teenager's death. "It's (a reward) usually about $100,000," Mr Milovanovich told the court. "I would support that. "I hope this matter does get resolved one day."
Despite a "very thorough report" from two police officers involved in the case, Mr Milovanovich said he was unable to say how the girl died. He also said he was unable to determine the exact time or location of Michelle's death, narrowing it down to "between February 20 and 22, 2004, in the state of NSW".
The court was told Michelle had been emotionally disturbed since the age of 10,
suffering mood. swings and temper tantrums as well as frequently running away from home. "All I can say is ... that this was a very tragic death and a very unsatisfactory matter in that we are no further down the track ...," Mr Milovanovich said.
"I don't know what the answer is to a tragedy such as this." He said Michelle was "probably the victim of a homicide", adding the case
should be referred to the homicide squad as an unsolved homicide and be "periodically reviewed". The court was earlier told by the manager of Mt Druitt Community Centre, Dianne Carroll, that the Department of Community Services (DOCS) was notified about Michelle in June 2001, with her file being closed for the last time in October 2003. She said DOCS had provided
support when it could, but inadequate staffing levels had prevented them from doing so on a number of occasions. However, Ms Carroll also told the court that on many times when DOCS had called on Michelle and her mother, Kathy Nowland, they had not been home. Ms Nowland, who has three other children, was present in court
