Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Fiona Pender in August 1996 are today beginning a search operation at a location in Co. Offaly.
The area of open ground will be searched and subject to excavation, as well as technical and forensic examinations over the coming days, according to a garda statement.
Over the last 28 years gardaí have investigated Fiona’s disappearance, over the course of which “significant enquiries” have been carried out to establish Fiona’s whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which she disappeared.
Fiona was 25 years old at the time of her disappearance, and seven months pregnant.
She was last seen at around 6am on the morning of Friday, 23rd August 1996 when she was at her flat on Church Street, Tullamore.
Fiona was described as being 5’5″ in height, with long blonde hair. She was wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings.
Based on the information available to An Garda Síochána, the garda spokesperson said that the missing person investigation has been re-classified as a murder investigation.
The spokesperson said:
“Investigating Gardaí continue to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the disappearance of Fiona in the early morning of Friday 23rd August 1996, who has not spoken to Gardaí, to please come forward and speak to our investigation team.
“Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who may have previously come forward who felt they could not provide Gardaí with all the information they had in relation to this matter, to contact the investigation team again.
“An Garda Síochána appeals to anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant you might believe it to be, to contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, or any Garda Station. Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.”
The statement added that Fiona’s remains have never been located, and that no person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder of Fiona at this time.