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.

As far as the family know, before then, police hadn’t realised that Elaine and Kerry’s disappearances were likely connected.

Elaine was reported missing to Cronulla Police Station, while Kerry was reported missing to Miranda Police Station — just one suburb over. 

Checks for the girls were made through national police missing persons databases, electoral rolls, Centrelink, Births, Deaths and Marriages, major Australian banks, and Interpol. Medicare and the Australian Tax Office were also checked. 

There were no records of either girl after they went missing. There might be a good reason for that.

Official documents shared by Elaine’s family show that police checks — made between 2004 and 2006 — included searches under the wrong name and the wrong date of birth.

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.