On Monday, 20 March 1978, thirteen-year-old Denise McGregor left her family home in Pascoe Vale with her younger sister to purchase dinner from a local fish and chip shop. On the return journey, Denise separated from her sister at the corner of Bell Street and Anderson Street to visit a nearby milk bar to buy bottles of Coke. The milk bar was approximately 180 metres from her home.

Denise did not return.

Later that evening, Denise was reported missing by her mother. The following morning, her body was discovered on Merriang Road in Wallan East, approximately 40 kilometres north of Melbourne. Her murder remains unsolved.

This episode documents the confirmed timeline of Denise McGregor’s disappearance, using witness statements, police records, inquest materials, and contemporaneous reporting. It reconstructs the known events of 20 March 1978 and establishes the factual foundation for the investigation examined in subsequent episodes.

The case remains open with Victoria Police.

Information:
Anyone with information relating to the disappearance or murder of Denise McGregor is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.police.vic.gov.au/crime-stoppers
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Content warning:
This episode discusses the sexual assault and murder of a child and contains descriptions of how a child’s body was found. Listener discretion is advised.
Support services: Lifeline 13 11 14 | 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732

In March 1978, thirteen-year-old Denise McGregor left her home in Pascoe Vale, Victoria, to buy fish and chips for her family. 

She never came home. 

Her body was discovered the following morning on Merriang Road in Wallan East, approximately 40 kilometres from where she disappeared. 

Despite extensive investigation over the last forty-seven years, no one has ever been charged with Denise's murder. The case remains open with Victoria Police Homicide Squad and a million dollar reward has been posted with information leading to the apprehension and subsequent conviction of the person or persons responsible for her death. 

Civilian Sleuths examines the disappearance, investigation, evidence, and modern investigative possibilities surrounding Denise McGregor's death. The series draws on materials from Public Records Office Victoria, Victoria Police, inquest transcripts, witness statements, and contemporaneous newspaper archives. 

This examination considers the case through contemporary forensic knowledge while distinguishing documented evidence from areas that remain unresolved. 

Information relevant to this case may still exist. 

Someone saw something. Someone knows something. It's time to speak up. 

Because we still owe it to Denise. 

If you have information about this case that has not been provided to police, please contact Victoria Police Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000. 

Episode 1 launches January 6, 2026. 

CONTENT WARNING: This series discusses the abduction and murder of a child.

Civilian Sleuths re-examines Australia's coldest cases using publicly available records, AI-assisted research, and detailed analysis of historical evidence.

We're reconstructing timelines, cross-referencing witness statements, and exploring patterns in decades-old cases—combining technology with public memory to keep these investigations in the spotlight.

For decades, these cases went unsolved—not for lack of effort, but because the tools at the time were limited. Could one overlooked detail or forgotten memory finally bring answers?

Launching January 6, 2026. New episodes every second Tuesday.

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