Sandi Harvey’s car isn’t the average wheels you’d usually see zooming around Sydney’s streets.
The rear of her silver hatchback features a large, artistically painted fire-breathing dragon, alongside a missing person’s poster and the words “find Leisl Smith” prominently displayed.
Her accused killer and ex-partner James Scott Church took his own life before a verdict could be reached in 2022.
His death meant all legal proceedings had to be terminated under the law.
Harvey told Ben Fordham Live on 2GB she has been driving around her tribute to Leisl since the day she went missing.
The heartbroken mother takes her car around NSW and Victoria in the hopes it might trigger someone’s memory.
“I hope that somebody sees it and goes, ‘Oh, I remember hearing something about that’, or, ‘I remember somebody told me something’,” Harvey said.
“And they can get in touch with either the Wyong police or Crime Stoppers and let them know… because not knowing is the worst thing ever.”
She also staples posters to trees and hands out business cards around popular tourist spots in both states.
Harvey said the lack of answers following Church’s death in custody has been hard to bear.
An inquest is being held into Leisl’s disappearance and suspected murder, however no criminal court verdict will ever be delivered.
“It was just devastating. Absolutely devastating,” she said.
“You know, part of my heart is missing. Although she was living with her father, she’s still my daughter.”
Leisl, 23, was last seen getting into a car at Tuggerah on that 2012 day.
Her ex-partner, Church, 53, was arrested in 2019 and accused of murdering Leisl by luring her into a car and dumping her body in an unknown location.
He had pleaded not guilty before his death.
Anyone with information is urged to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Readers seeking support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyond blue on 1300 22 4636.
