Michaela Godau

Status:

Open

Missing From:

Davoren Park (Elizabeth Field), South Australia

Summary:

Michaela Godau, a 15-year-old girl born in 1967, went missing on December 19, 1982, from her Elizabeth Field home in South Australia. Her family were returning to Germany, but apparently Michaela did not want to return with them. It is believed that she took clothing and money with her. Police suspect she has been murdered.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Disappearance:

Michaela and her family lived at Walpole Street, Davoren Park (formerly Elizabeth Field), until her mother returned to work in Germany in July 1982. Michaela, her stepfather, and brother remained in Adelaide. Michaela was last seen going to bed at about 10pm on Sunday, 19 December 1982 at the family home in Elizabeth Field. She was gone the following morning, and at 5.35pm her stepfather reported her missing. Her stepfather reported her missing on December 20, claiming that she had taken $460 in cash, toiletries, her passport and sleeping pills. In early December 1982, the prospective buyer had come to the house to negotiate the purchase of some furniture and during a conversation with Michaela they noticed she had an injury to her eye. It remains unclear as to how that injury occurred.

Additional Details:

Police say it appeared that Mr Godau was not coping well with looking after the three children and he also had difficulty obtaining work. During the investigation one of Michaela's friends had flagged relationship difficulties between her and her stepfather. The Department of Child Welfare were also involved. Child-welfare authorities had intervened several months before this amid concerns about Herwarth Godau's relationship with his 15-year-old stepdaughter. As part of the investigation, a formal approach was made to Michael's stepfather to assist in the inquiry, but after initially cooperating, questions in relation to his Land Rover saw him seek legal advice. Herwarth Godau's Land Rover was sold before it could be checked by police forensic experts. Investigations have found that the vehicle was sold to a Northern Territory tourism operator in the late 1980s and it then disappeared. Police believe she has been murdered and suspect that the circumstances of Michaela's disappearance may have been created to try and fool the investigation. Major Crime case officer Detective Sergeant Paul Ward said he suspects the circumstances of Michaela's disappearance may have been "concocted" to try to fool the police. Mr. Godau, who is now in his 70s, now lives at Salisbury Downs. Somewhat strangely, several businesses he has operated since Michaela vanished have featured her name. While Major Crime detectives believe Michaela is no longer alive, Mrs. Godau, in her mid-70s, believes otherwise. "I am a positive person and until I'm shown proof, I will always hope she is alive, that she ran away because she did not want to move back to Germany with the family," she said.

Case Last Updated:

Oct 29, 2026