Western Australian detectives are reaching out to the public for assistance following a recent breakthrough in one of the state’s most enduring cold cases. The case centers around the mysterious disappearance of 12-year-old Lisa Mott, a schoolgirl whose vanishing act has puzzled investigators for nearly 44 years.

In a renewed effort to solve this long-standing mystery, authorities have unveiled a description of a man who may hold crucial information regarding Lisa’s disappearance. This development is a significant step in rekindling interest and gathering fresh leads in the case.

The tragic story dates back to October 30, 1980. Lisa had gone with a friend to play basketball at 6:45 PM on the courts located on Throssell Street in Collie, a small town that has been haunted by her disappearance ever since.

Later that evening, around 8:45 PM, Lisa was spotted at a nearby pizza shop, where she stayed for roughly 15 minutes. This was one of the last known sightings of the young girl.

Witnesses last saw Lisa crossing a railway line on Forrest Street, moments before she reportedly entered a yellow panel van. The vehicle, thought to be a Holden model from between 1970 and 1978, represents a critical clue in unraveling what happened to her.

She has not been seen or heard from since.

An eyewitness has told detectives she saw the schoolgirl talking to man, who appeared to know the 12-year-old, at the basketball courts the same evening she went missing.

The witness had previously seen the man at the courts about three times.

The man has been described as approximately 18 to 20-years-old at the time and tall with curly hair. 

It is believed he was leaning on a yellow Holden panel van during that conversation with Lisa.

Detectives have been unable to identify the man and have asked him to come forward.

Police said additional unrelated investigative lines of inquiry have led detectives to search a number of wells in Noggerup, south of Collie, for the schoolgirl’s remains. 

There was a yellow vehicle sighted in this area around the time she went missing.

Detective senior sergeant Greg Dowding from the cold case investigations unit is urging anyone who knows anything to come forward.

“Someone out there knows something which could be the vital information we need to solve this,” Dowding said.

“Tomorrow marks an unwanted 45-year anniversary of Lisa’s disappearance but all these years later, WA Police remains committed to finding out what happened to Lisa and providing some solace for her family.

“I would just like to say that someone out there knows what happened to Lisa and can tell us where she is. 

“Unfortunately, Lisa’s father, Brian Mott passed away not knowing what happened to his daughter.

“Lisa’s surviving family need to be able to say goodbye, so I ask that person to come forward or make that phone call.

“Spending decades not knowing what happened to your child is every parent’s worst nightmare and WA Police is unwavering in our pursuit to provide those answers.”