The Grimmer family moved from the UK to Australia in 1969. They were "ten pound poms" - part of a huge wave of migration down under.
Months later, Three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach in New South Wales. She was never seen again. In the moments before she vanished, she was being looked after by her oldest brother, Ricki. He was just seven.
This is the story of that day, and of its impact in the months, years and decades that followed. It's Ricki's story - his desperate search for answers, and his battle with guilt.
And it's the story of an extraordinary police enquiry that was dramatically re-started almost 50 years after Cheryl was taken.BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay has been investigating the case in Australia and in the UK since 2016. With exclusive access to the family and the investigating officers, he begins an eight-part exploration of this moving, gripping tale.Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
Music: Elizabeth Purnell
Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney
Editor: James Cook

The Grimmer family moved from the UK to Australia in 1969. They were "ten pound poms" - part of a huge wave of migration down under. Months later, Three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach in New South Wales. She was never seen again. In the moments before she vanished, she was being looked after by her oldest brother, Ricki. He was just seven. This is the story of that day, and of its impact in the months, years and decades that followed. It's Ricki's story - his desperate search for answers, and his battle with guilt. And it's the story of an extraordinary police enquiry that was dramatically re-started almost 50 years after Cheryl was taken. BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay has been investigating the case in Australia and in the UK since 2016. With exclusive access to the family and the investigating officers, he begins an eight-part exploration of this moving, gripping tale. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard Music: Elizabeth Purnell Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney Editor: James Cook

1. When the Wind Changed

Jon Kay returns with an update on his investigation into the disappearance of Cheryl Grimmer from a beach in New South Wales, Australia in January 1970.In this episode, Jon follows up some of the many emails from listeners who got in touch after the podcast came out - including potential witnesses who think they might have important information.In this episode, Jon hears their stories and find out what response they’ve had from the police.And he catches up with Cheryl’s family, as they step up their campaign for justice.Presented by Jon Kay, original music composed by Elizabeth Purnell, and produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Chris Ledgard

Jon Kay returns with an update on his investigation into the disappearance of Cheryl Grimmer from a beach in New South Wales, Australia in January 1970. In this episode, Jon follows up some of the many emails from listeners who got in touch after the podcast came out - including potential witnesses who think they might have important information. In this episode, Jon hears their stories and find out what response they’ve had from the police. And he catches up with Cheryl’s family, as they step up their campaign for justice. Presented by Jon Kay, original music composed by Elizabeth Purnell, and produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Chris Ledgard

10. Case Closed?

Jon Kay updates his investigation into the disappearance of 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer from an Australian beach in 1970. Cheryl's family are determined to get her case back into court.Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard

Jon Kay updates his investigation into the disappearance of 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer from an Australian beach in 1970. Cheryl's family are determined to get her case back into court. Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard

9. A New Lead

It's the 50th anniversary of Cheryl's disappearance and the police have an announcement to make.Fairy Meadow is presented by BBC News correspondent Jon Kay
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
Music by Elizabeth Purnell 
Studio engineer, Jacques Sweeney 
Editor, James Cook

It's the 50th anniversary of Cheryl's disappearance and the police have an announcement to make. Fairy Meadow is presented by BBC News correspondent Jon Kay Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard Music by Elizabeth Purnell Studio engineer, Jacques Sweeney Editor, James Cook

8. The Girl With Blonde Hair And Blue Eyes

Jon tries to approach Mercury to hear his side of the story.Producer: Chris Ledgard
Music: Elizabeth Purnell
Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney
Editor: James Cook

Jon tries to approach Mercury to hear his side of the story. Producer: Chris Ledgard Music: Elizabeth Purnell Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney Editor: James Cook

7. Mercury's Story

A summer's day, 1970, and a mum and her four kids are on a beach in Australia. They're migrants, newly arrived from the UK, part of the generation of "ten-pound poms" looking for a fresh start down under.The oldest child, Ricki, takes his little sister, Cheryl, up to the changing blocks. Cheryl is never seen again.This is the story of what really happens to a family after a child goes missing. It's the story of Ricki's guilt and how it changed his life. And it's the story of a mystery that won't go away. Because nearly half a century after Cheryl disappeared, the case is moving again...Fairy Meadow is presented by BBC News correspondent Jon Kay and produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard.

A summer's day, 1970, and a mum and her four kids are on a beach in Australia. They're migrants, newly arrived from the UK, part of the generation of "ten-pound poms" looking for a fresh start down under. The oldest child, Ricki, takes his little sister, Cheryl, up to the changing blocks. Cheryl is never seen again. This is the story of what really happens to a family after a child goes missing. It's the story of Ricki's guilt and how it changed his life. And it's the story of a mystery that won't go away. Because nearly half a century after Cheryl disappeared, the case is moving again... Fairy Meadow is presented by BBC News correspondent Jon Kay and produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard.

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In 1970, three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer was taken from an Australian beach. No-one knows what happened. Fifty years on - can the mystery be solved?

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In 1970, three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer was taken from an Australian beach. No-one knows what happened. Fifty years on - can the mystery be solved?

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