Show Notes
For many locals, the Sutherland Shire was the model backdrop to beachside life in Australia.
A trip to the beach was a daily ritual. Surfers were idolised, beer and barbeques were synonymous and family camping trips were close to mandatory.
Yet, in the shadow of the sun and the sand lurked a darker side to this sleepy beachside life - a time where missing teens were dismissed as runaways only to become, in many cases, unexplained disappearances. Elaine Johnson is one such case.
Elaine’s sisters Wendy and Helen have cherished memories of their kind, funny, big sister - the carefree hippie who wore flower pants, loved the beach and used lemon juice to lighten her already blonde hair. To them, she was a wildflower.
It’s been 45 years since she was last seen in The Shire area of Cronulla.
Searching for Elaine is a series from Out From The Cold, part of Happy Tuesday Productions.
If you have information about Elaine Johnson or Kerri Ann Joel, you can get in touch at Help Find Elaine Johnson or contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Searching for Elaine was produced by Kate Kachor and Sally Spicer, editing by Dan McHugh and Matt Haywood, artwork by Nic Watts.
'Wildflowers' by Jess Ribeiro.
More from Out from the Cold: Searching for Elaine
Everything is thrown into uncertainty over the June long weekend in 2024, when Elaine Johnson’s younger sister, Helen, receives a stream of unexpected text messages.
The year is 2004. It’s the year NSW Police made what Elaine Johnson’s family believe was the first official contact they had with them about her disappearanc.
There’s a place in Sydney famed for being a hippy haven with a chequered past.