Charges Withdrawn in Decades-Old Wollongong Disappearance Case
In a dramatic courtroom development, a man accused of covering up for the killer of missing Wollongong mother Pauline Sowry has walked free after prosecutors formally withdrew all charges against him. The decision marks a significant turn in a case that has haunted the Illawarra region for over three decades.
Emotional Court Appearance Ends in Release
Leon Andus Antonius Boeyen, 64, appeared via audio-visual link in Wollongong Local Court on January 28, dressed in prison greens with long grey hair. The Crown prosecutor informed Magistrate David Williams that all charges against Boeyen were being withdrawn, with no other matters pending against him.
Boeyen choked back tears as the announcement was made. Magistrate Williams promptly ordered his immediate release, stating clearly: "You should be released today. You're free to go." The Crown prosecutor echoed this sentiment, noting there was "nothing else for him to remain in custody for."
The 64-year-old had been charged in May 2025 with being an accessory after the fact to murder and concealing an indictable offence related to Ms Sowry's disappearance.
Cold Case Investigation Continues Despite Setback
The withdrawal of charges represents another complex chapter in the tragic disappearance of Pauline Sowry, a 49-year-old mother of three who vanished in December 1993. Police suspect she was murdered the following year, though her body has never been found.
Investigators from Strike Force Anthea continue to re-examine the circumstances surrounding Pauline's disappearance. The case gained renewed attention in December 2024 when detectives revealed they had uncovered clothing believed to belong to Ms Sowry during forensic excavations.
These digs occurred in rugged bushland off O'Briens Road in Figtree, with items recovered during 2023 and 2024 including:
- Long black trousers
- A distinctive cream-coloured, long-sleeve blouse featuring a colourful hand-stitched design
Despite this latest development in court, police remain committed to solving the cold case. Authorities continue to urge anyone with information to contact Wollongong Police or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
The emotional courtroom scene underscores the ongoing pain surrounding unresolved missing persons cases and the complex legal processes that accompany decades-old investigations. While one legal avenue has closed, the search for answers about Pauline Sowry's fate continues.
