The abduction and suspected murders of two girls and one young woman from Lake Macquarie in the 1970s and 1990s are being investigated by a new police strike force.
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Two of the cases were not reported to the coroner until 20 years after their disappearance.
"I hope to God they get answers for some of us. It's hell on earth, heartache and suffering for 40 years," Anne Robinson, one of the mothers, said.
Dental nurse Robyn Hickie, 18, was abducted on her way to meet friends at Belmont in 1979. She was last seen on the Pacific Highway, Belmont North just a short distance from her home. She has not been seen since.
Just two weeks later, Amanda Robinson, 14, was snatched at Swansea, somewhere between the Pacific Highway and Lake Road, as she was walking home from a school dance.
About 15 years later, schoolgirl Gordana Kotevski was kidnapped by two men in a white vehicle at Charlestown while walking home from a nearby shopping mall.
Witnesses said they heard screaming and saw a white Toyota Hilux speed out of the street. The 16-year-old Cardiff High School student had been late night shopping with friends when she was bundled into the car about 8.45pm on November 24, 1994.
Former state coroner John Abernethy presided over an inquest in 2002 into the disappearances. Backpacker murderer Ivan Milat gave evidence.
Mr Abernethy said the initial police investigation was poor and that the cases "had fallen through the cracks".
"These are missing teenagers, they just don't disappear into thin air," Mr Abernethy said.
"The initial police investigation was perfunctory at best. It was just not a good investigation," he said.
A new strike force - named Arapaima and comprising seasoned detectives from Lake Macquarie police - is reinvestigating the suspected murders of Amanda, Robyn and Gordana.
Lake Macquarie Superintendent Danny Sullivan said four detectives, led by Detective Sergeant Kristi Faber, would be dedicated to working on the cases for the next several months.
"These matters struck at the core of the community in Lake Macquarie," Superintendent Sullivan said.
"That strike force will re-examine the investigation into the unsolved missing persons cases in the Lake Macquarie region," he said.
Gordana's aunt Julie Talevski still campaigns in the hope that one day her niece's killer will be caught and is hoping police will offer a reward of $1 million in the near future.
"She was just a beautiful young lady with a heart of gold, who would do anything for her family and friends," Ms Talevski said.
"There is happiness that yes, someone is looking at this seriously again, but then comes the pain of reopening a wound that will never heal," she said.
The cases were not properly looked at or reported to the coroner until detectives from Strike Force Fenwick took charge almost 20 years later.
"They fell between the cracks and were forgotten about until Fenwick came along and really turned them over but by then it was too late," Mr Abernethy said.
Police have urged anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
- With Sydney Morning Herald
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