Major breakthrough in search for missing backpacker Kellie Ann Carmichael who from popular tourist hotspot

The remains of a young woman who disappeared in the Blue Mountains 23 years ago have been found.

Kellie Ann Carmichael, 24, checked out of a hostel in Katoomba, west of Sydney, on April 29, 2001.

She told the staff she would pick up her things after a walk, but she was never seen again.

However, bones discovered by NSW Police in Katoomba last week have been confirmed to be hers.

Kellie Ann Carmichael, 24, checked out of a hostel in Katoomba in the Blue Mountains on April 29, 2001

She told the staff she would pick up her things after a walk, but she was never seen again

“During an unrelated police operation on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, officers from the Blue Mountains Police Area Command located human remains in bushland near Katoomba,” a NSW Police spokeswoman said.

‘Following inquiries, police attended the same location on Monday 27 May 2024, where they located further remains.

“The human remains that were initially located and seized have now been formally identified as those of missing person Kellie Ann Carmichael and her family have now been notified.

‘The investigation is being carried out by the Unsolved Homicide Team and a brief of evidence will be prepared for the coroner.’

Ms Carmichael’s parents, who live in Geelong, Victoria, have always believed their daughter could have been murdered.

They were informed of the discovery by officers from the Unsolved Homicide Team.

A post-mortem examination will now attempt to determine whether any indication can be found as to how she died.

The astonishing find only happened by chance, when an officer rappelling down a cliff face as part of an unrelated search in late April spotted the bones among the bushland.

Police returned to the same site in May where they found more remains.

However, bones discovered by NSW Police in Katoomba last week have been confirmed to be hers

The parents of Ms Carmichael (pictured), who live in Geelong, Victoria, have always believed their daughter could have been murdered

Ms Carmichael’s parents reported her missing after not hearing from her for six days.

Her case captivated the nation and resulted in many theories surrounding her disappearance, including whether she had been the victim of a serial killer.

But a police investigation concluded that she had committed suicide because she suffered from schizophrenia.

In 2011, the NSW government offered a $200.00 reward for information about her disappearance.

“I feel like we have been robbed of having our daughter and grandchildren,” Margaret Carmichael told reporters at the time.

“We never had the chance to have our daughter… our family was never the same.”