Disappearance of Niamh Maye

Last updated
Niamh Maye
Born1984 (age 4142)
DisappearedMarch 30, 2002(2002-03-30) (aged 17–18)
Jingellic, New South Wales, Australia
Status Missing for 23 years, 9 months and 4 days
Known for Missing person
Website missingniamh.au

On March 30, 2002, Niamh Maye, an 18-year-old woman, disappeared in New South Wales, Australia. She was last seen near Jingellic [1] [2] and was planning to catch a bus from Batlow to the train station at Cootamundra but never made the trip. [3]

Contents

Background

Originally from Armidale, Maye was on a gap year before starting university. On February 16, 2002, around 6 weeks before her disappearance, Maye and her two friends traveled to Batlow for a fruit-picking working holiday.

Disappearance

On March 29, 2002, Maye went camping to Jingellic. She was accompanied by another fruit picker, Jason Nicklason, who traveled in a distinctive black hearse. They left Jingellic together on Match 30, Maye was never seen after that. Nicklason was the last person to see Maye alive. [4]

Death of Jason Nicklason

In September 2002, six months after the disappearance of Maye, Jason Nicklason was arrested in Brisbane for the rape of a 19-year-old woman. While in police custody outside Brisbane police headquarters, Nicklason jumped from a third storey car park and died as a result. [5] [6]

Search efforts

On June 21, 2023, the Riverina Police District announced an AU$250,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction regarding to the disappearance of Maye. [7]

References

  1. "Parents' heartbreaking plea to end 18-year mystery". Australian Seniors News. Australian Seniors News. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  2. "Missing Persons Week: 2002 disappearance of Armidale teenager Niamh Maye". Mirage News. Mirage News. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  3. "Missing Persons Week: Police renew call for information in Niamh Maye cold case". 9News. Nine Digital Pty Ltd. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  4. "Niamh Maye: $250,000 reward offered in search for NSW woman missing for two decades". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media. 21 June 2023. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  5. "Inquest may be held into fruit picker's disappearance". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 11 April 2005. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  6. "Family of missing NSW woman renew search". The Canberra Times. Australian Community Media. Retrieved 2 January 2026.
  7. "$250,000 reward". New South Wales Police Force. State of New South Wales. Retrieved 2 January 2026.