A man has today been arrested in relation to the three-decades-old disappearance of Illawarra mother Pauline Sowry.

Sowry, also known by her married name Pauline Lawrence, was last seen in Wollongong’s northern suburbs in December 1993.

She was 49 when she went missing.

A coronial inquest in 2008 found Sowry most likely had died after an unconfirmed sighting of her in 1994. 

Her remains were never recovered despite extensive investigations over several years.

An Investigation into her disappearance was reopened in 2022.

In March 2024, NSW Police offered a $500,000 reward for information relating to her death or disappearance.

Searches of the Illawarra escarpment between March 2023 and October 2024 uncovered a number of clothing items relating to the disappearance.

The Illawarra escarpment is the fold in the mountain ranges surrounding Wollongong.

Following continued investigations, a 64-year-old man was arrested today in a unit on Murphys Avenue in Gwynneville.

Jason Lawrence today thanked officers for their dedication to the investigation into his mother’s disappearance.

“We are relieved by the news that an individual has been detained concerning the mysterious disappearance of our dear mother. For over 30 years, we have been waiting to receive this update,” expressed Jason.

“We miss her every day and her disappearance has taken a huge toll on myself and our entire family.

“We thank the police officers for never giving up hope and we look forward to the outcome of this investigation,” he said.

NSW Police Southern Region Assistant Commissioner Joe Cassar praised his officers’ work following the arrest.

“Following last year’s fresh plea for information, I assured that the NSW Police would exhaust every effort to find a resolution, and the diligence and dedication of my team have led to today’s arrest,” stated Cassar.

“I applaud the unwavering dedication of our officers in seeking justice for Pauline’s family, and they remain committed to advancing this case to the courts.”