Fiona Pender has been missing since August 1996.
Gardaí investigating the disappearance of Fiona Pender have upgraded the case to murder.
Investigators are now searching on open ground at a location in Killeigh, in Offaly.
This area of land will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days.
The site in question is in a very remote part of the Graigue area of Killeigh, surrounded by bog.
A garda van parked in one of the narrow lanes around the Graigue area of Killeigh.
The entrance to the road just before the garda cordon in Killeigh.
Gardaí in Laois/Offaly Garda Division have carried out a sustained investigation over the last 28-years during which significant enquiries have been carried out to establish Fiona’s whereabouts and to investigate the circumstances in which Fiona disappeared.
The investigation continues to be led by a Senior Investigating Officer.
Over the course of this investigation, Gardaí have discovered and collated thousands of documents/reports, taken in excess of 300 statements of evidence and retained a number of exhibits.
Extensive searches have been carried out, while 5 people were arrested and detained in connection with the case, and subsequently released in 1997.
Based on the entirety of the information available to the investigation team An Garda Síochána can confirm that this missing person investigation has been re-classified as a murder investigation.
Fiona was last seen at approximately 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 25 years of age at the time she went missing. Fiona was wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings.
She was 7 months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. Fiona’s remains have never been located.
No person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder of Fiona at this time.
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.
Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan says he believes there are people out there with information:
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