User:Craigfoskett

Stephen Lapthorne (21) and Michelle Pope (18) went missing from the northern suburbs of Sydney on the evening of 25 August 1978 (Friday). Stephen left his home in West Pymble at approximately 10:15 p.m. to drive his girlfriend home to Berowra. Neither he or Michelle have been seen since. The lime green Bedford van that Stephen was driving has also never been found.

An extensive search commenced soon after the couple was reported missing. Much of the search area concentrated on the Kuring-gai Chase National Park but with no success the search was gradually scaled back and then terminated.

No evidence has been discovered that is directly linked to the case. There has been no mention of a person of interest, although Ivan Milat was named by the Coroner a being possibly involved in the disappearances. The Coroner’s findings were handed down in 2005 with the conclusion that the couple met with foul play.

The Coroner’s inquest also considered the disappearances of another couple - Alan Fox and Anneke Adriaansen who lived in the Berowra area and were last seen in January 1979 in the Kempsey area some 400km north of Sydney. Alan and Anneke had been hitchhiking and were also seen in Byron Bay. It is unclear without access to the Coroner’s Report whether the Coroner was referring to Ivan Milat being responsible for both couples’ disappearances or one or the other.

At the time of her disappearance, Michelle Pope was 175-180cm tall with brown hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a bone-coloured dress and red sandals.

Stephen Victor Lapthorne was 175-180cm tall with a medium build, light brown hair, blue eyes and a moustache. He was wearing cream trousers, a yello and white check shirt and brown lace-up shoes. Stephen had a discoloured front tooth which may have been partially capped.

Stephen’s van was a lime green 1977 Bedford CF250, automatic transmission. The registration plate was personalised black and white SL 710. Stephen was a CB Radio enthusiast and there was a large aerial on the roof as well as another aerial on the side near the bonnet/hood. The van had a 10cm dark green stripe down the side, mag wheels and flared mudguards. There were black curtains on the rear window. The seats were non standard - Ford Escort bucket seats. The chassis number was GJ544153. The engine number was FE783629.