Investigation into disappearance of Fiona Pender upgraded to murder

Fiona Pender was last seen at around 6am on the morning of Friday, August 23 1996, at her flat on Church Street in Tullamore

Fiona Pender was last seen at around 6am on the morning of Friday, August 23, 1996, at her flat on Church Street in Tullamore. File picture: Irish Times Group 

The investigation into the disappearance of Fiona Pender almost 30 years ago in Co Offaly has been upgraded to murder. 

Ms Pender was last seen at around 6am on the morning of Friday, August 23, 1996, at her flat on Church Street in Tullamore. 

She was described as being 5'5" in height, with long blonde hair and was 25 years old at the time she went missing. 

Fiona was wearing bright coloured clothing and white leggings and was seven months pregnant at the time. 

In an update on Monday, gardaí have confirmed that the missing person appeal has now been upgraded to a murder investigation. 

A search operation has begun at an open ground in Co Offaly. Gardaí say the area will be searched and subject to excavation, technical and forensic examinations over the coming days. 

Over the course of the investigation in the last 28 years, extensive searches have also been carried out, and five people were arrested and detained. 

The investigating team, led by a Senior Investigating Officer, has also discovered and collated thousands of documents/reports, taken in excess of 300 statements of evidence and has retained a number of exhibits. 

Fiona Pender. Picture: Irish Times Group Picture

"Fiona's remains have never been located," a garda spokesperson said. "No person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder of Fiona at this time," they added 

Investigating gardaí continue to appeal to any person with any information in relation to the disappearance of Fiona in the early morning of Friday, August 23, 1996, who has not spoken to gardaí, to please come forward and speak to the investigation team.

Gardaí continue to appeal to any person who may have previously come forward and felt they could not provide gardaí with all the information they had in relation to this matter to contact the investigation team again.

Anyone with any information, no matter how small or insignificant they might believe it to be, should contact Tullamore Garda Station on 057 932 7600, or any Garda Station. Anyone who wishes to provide information confidentially should contact the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111.