MISSING PERSON
CASE #: 1988-52
Julie Leanne Cutler
Status:
Open
Date of Last Contact:
Date of Last Contact:
Jurisdiction:
Missing From:
Perth, Western Australia
Summary:
Julie Leanne Cutler disappeared on June 20, 1988, from Perth, Western Australia. She was 22 years old at the time, with dark brown hair, green/blue eyes, a slim build and fair complexion. A coronial inquest concluded she is deceased and was deceased in relative proximity to the time of her disappearance. The Coroner was unable to determine how she died and made an Open Finding as to the manner of Julie's death.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Disappearance:
On the evening of Sunday 19 June 1988, Julie Cutler was working at the Parmelia Hilton Hotel, 14 Mill Street, Perth. After finishing her shift, she attended a staff awards night at Julianna's night club, which was part of the Parmelia Hilton. It is believed that around 180 people attended this function until around 12.30am on Monday 20 June 1988. Julie Cutler and a female co-worker left the work function, walking together to the staff parking area of the hotel. Julie Cutler was seen by her co-worker bending into the open front passenger side door of her car. Julie was seen turning onto Mounts Bay Road by a work colleague who was waiting for his ride home. About 11.45am on Wednesday 22 June 1988, Miss Cutler's car was located several metres off the shore-line at Cottesloe Beach by a swimmer. The car was about half way between the Surf Life Saving Club and the groyne. At this time the car was upside down, half buried in the sand.
Additional Details:
According to her co-worker, Ms Cutler said she was going to meet someone later that night, but refused to say who, saying 'it's a secret, I can't tell'. Ms Cutler is believed to have returned briefly to the function at that point, and was one of the last four or five people to leave, close to 1am. Another work colleague, sous chef Geoffrey Pearce, saw her drive her distinctive, two-tone grey Fiat sedan out of the staff car park. On Tuesday 21st June 1988, Julie was reported missing by her family after her roommate, Fiona Marr, had called her family concerned with her welfare when she didn't return to her Fremantle flat. A distinctive Parmelia Hiton staff blouse almost certainly belonging to Ms Cutler was found in a plastic bag at a city kebab shop. A diary, pen, wallet and purse were found in sand dunes a kilometre from where Ms Cutler's car was found – and destroyed by police who initially believed them not to be connected to the case. In 2017, the Cold Case Homicide Squad commenced a new operation to review all of the evidence and investigate any new leads. An inquest was held at the Perth Coroner's Court on 3 and 4 November 2022. The Fremantle flat she shared with Fiona Marr — her close friend Jennifer Marr's older sister — had been burgled around the same time, and Ms Cutler's passport and bank card had been stolen. In the months prior to her disappearance, Ms Cutler had told friends of an incident in which she had been tailgated while driving home from work one night and almost run off the road. Ms Cutler's father Roger and sister Sarah both attended the inquest and gave evidence.
Case Last Updated:
Timeline of Events
The Deputy State Coroner was satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt Julie is deceased and was deceased in relative proximity to the time of her disappearance. The Coroner was unable to determine how she died and made an Open Finding as to the manner of Julie's death.
An inquest was held at the Perth Coroner's Court.
The Government of Western Australia announced a $250,000 reward for information which leads to the apprehension and conviction of the person, or persons, responsible for Julie's disappearance.
Julie was reported missing by her family after her roommate, Fiona Marr, had called her family concerned with her welfare when she didn't return to her Fremantle flat.
Miss Cutler's car was located several metres off the shore-line at Cottesloe Beach by a swimmer. The car was about half way between the Surf Life Saving Club and the groyne. At this time the car was upside down, half buried in the sand.
Around 12.30am on Monday 20 June 1988, Julie Cutler and a female co-worker left the work function, walking together to the staff parking area of the hotel.
Julie Cutler was working at the Parmelia Hilton Hotel at 14 Mill Street, Perth. After finishing her shift, she attended a staff awards night at Julianna's night club.
Associated Persons
Fiona M. (Friend) - Living
Jennifer M. (Friend) - Living
Nicole C. (Sibling) - Living
Geoffrey P. (Coworker) - Living
Robyn C. (Mother) - Deceased
Roger C. (Father) - Living
Family Tree
Why is this important?Missing person
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Missing Person
Missing Person
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