In a dramatic turn in a 55-year-old cold case, Jeremy Buckingham, a Member of the New South Wales (NSW) Legislative Council for the Legalise Cannabis Party, on Thursday, October 23, 2025, publicly named a man previously linked to the disappearance of three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer. The revelation, made under parliamentary privilege, comes after the Grimmer family issued an ultimatum to the individual, known by the pseudonym 'Mercury', to meet with them or face public identification.

Cheryl Grimmer vanished on Monday, January 12, 1970, from outside a shower block at Fairy Meadow Beach in the Illawarra region of NSW. She was with her mother and three older brothers when she disappeared.

Historical and Political Context

The disappearance of Cheryl Grimmer has remained a prominent unsolved case in Australia for over five decades. Despite extensive searches and multiple police investigations, her body has never been found. A coronial inquest in 2011 concluded that Cheryl had died, though the cause and manner of death remained undetermined.

In 2017, a man, then in his 60s, was charged with Cheryl's abduction and murder. He had faced a trial in 2018, but it collapsed after a judge ruled a 1971 police interview, in which he allegedly confessed to the murder, inadmissible. The confession was deemed inadmissible because the man was 17 years old at the time of the interview, considered a child under NSW law, and reportedly did not have a parent, adult, or lawyer present.

Laws, Policy, and Governance

Parliamentary privilege in NSW grants members legal immunity for statements made within parliament, protecting them from defamation or other legal consequences that might otherwise arise. This privilege allowed Mr. Buckingham to name the individual despite court orders that had previously suppressed his identity due to his age at the time of the alleged offence.

The President of the Legislative Council, Ben Franklin, cautioned Mr. Buckingham before he proceeded, highlighting the obligation of members to use privilege responsibly and the importance of comity between parliament and the courts.

Stakeholders and Testimonies

The Grimmer family has consistently and relentlessly campaigned for answers regarding Cheryl's disappearance. Cheryl's brother, Ricki Nash, has been a vocal advocate, expressing the family's pain and their desire for the truth. The family's ultimatum to 'Mercury' underscored their desperation for a resolution after decades of uncertainty.

Mr. Buckingham, who has been supporting the Grimmer family, stated that the criminal justice system had failed Cheryl both 50 years ago and more recently with the inadmissibility of the confession. He read out portions of the alleged 1971 confession in parliament, detailing the then-teenager's account of the events.

Evidence and Data

• Disappearance Date: Monday, January 12, 1970
• Age at Disappearance: 3 years old
• Coronial Inquest: 2011, declared Cheryl Grimmer legally dead.
• Suspect Charged: 2017
• Trial Collapse: 2018, due to inadmissibility of 1971 confession.
• Confession Age: Suspect was 17 years old in 1971.
• Reward Offered: NSW Government increased reward to $1 million in 2020 for information leading to arrest and conviction.

Risks and Implications

The use of parliamentary privilege to name a previously suppressed individual carries significant implications. While it offers a pathway for families seeking justice in long-unresolved cases, it also raises questions about the balance between parliamentary immunity and judicial processes, particularly concerning legal orders of suppression.

Unknowns and Controversies

Despite the parliamentary revelation, the legal status of the named individual remains complex. The original trial collapsed due to the inadmissibility of the confession, and the man denies any wrongdoing. It is uncertain whether this public naming will lead to a renewed police investigation or further legal action. The Grimmer family's dispute with police regarding recent search efforts and soil samples also highlights ongoing uncertainties in the case.

Timeline and Next Steps

The Grimmer family's ultimatum expired on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, leading to Mr. Buckingham's parliamentary action on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The family continues to seek a meeting with the named individual to understand the truth behind the confession. Police have previously offered a $1 million reward for information in the case.

What to Watch

The immediate aftermath of the parliamentary naming will be crucial. Observers will be watching for any responses from the named individual, potential legal challenges to Mr. Buckingham's actions, and whether NSW Police will reopen or intensify their investigation into Cheryl Grimmer's disappearance. The ongoing parliamentary inquiry into missing persons and unsolved murder cases, chaired by Mr. Buckingham, may also provide further avenues for addressing such cold cases.