Out from the Cold: Searching for Elaine

Happy Tuesday Productions
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  • TRUE CRIME
  • WEEKLY SERIES

It was early 1980 when Elaine Johnson left her family home in southern Sydney. The eldest of five children, Elaine had lived in Kurnell and Cronulla after her family moved to Australia from the UK as Ten Pound Poms. She grew up riding bikes, sunbaking and watching Monty Python on TV. In the weeks leading up to her disappearance, Elaine left home after an argument over a house party. It is believed she stayed with her friend, Kerry Anne Joel. Neither Elaine nor Kerry has been seen since February 1980. For more than 40 years, Elaine’s family has been searching for answers. This is their story.

  1. EPISODE 1

    The Wildflower

    For many locals, the Sutherland Shire was the model backdrop to beachside life in Australia. A trip to the beach was a daily ritual. Surfers were idolised, beer and barbeques were synonymous and family camping trips were close to mandatory.   Yet, in the shadow of the sun and the sand lurked a darker side to this sleepy beachside life - a time where missing teens were dismissed as runaways only to become, in many cases, unexplained disappearances. Elaine Johnson is one such case. Elaine’s sisters Wendy and Helen have cherished memories of their kind, funny, big sister - the carefree hippie who wore flower pants, loved the beach and used lemon juice to lighten her already blonde hair. To them, she was a wildflower. It’s been 45 years since she was last seen in The Shire area of Cronulla. 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.

    30 min
See All Season 1 (1)

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About

It was early 1980 when Elaine Johnson left her family home in southern Sydney. The eldest of five children, Elaine had lived in Kurnell and Cronulla after her family moved to Australia from the UK as Ten Pound Poms. She grew up riding bikes, sunbaking and watching Monty Python on TV. In the weeks leading up to her disappearance, Elaine left home after an argument over a house party. It is believed she stayed with her friend, Kerry Anne Joel. Neither Elaine nor Kerry has been seen since February 1980. For more than 40 years, Elaine’s family has been searching for answers. This is their story.

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