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.

For more than 40 years, Elaine Johnson’s family has searched tirelessly for answers.

They’ve followed every lead, chased down every reported sighting and refused to give up on her.

Over the past two years, investigative journalist Kate Kachor has worked alongside Elaine’s family — pursuing new leads and sifting through rumours of kidnapping, sex trafficking and murder.

And now, witnesses who’ve stayed silent for decades are finally coming forward.

Out From The Cold: Searching for Elaine coming soon.

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.