Lisa Govan mystery: WA Government considers offering multiple million-dollar rewards to catch killer

The WA Government will consider giving multiple rewards of up to $1 million for information about Lisa Govan’s suspected murder 21 years ago.

Police Minister Michelle Roberts today said the Government would look at shelling out more money if multiple witnesses came forward with credible tips about what happened to Ms Govan after she vanished from Kalgoorlie on October 8, 1999.

She was last seen around 7.45am outside the Boulder Road headquarters of the Club Deroes bikie gang.

The 28-year old had been drinking at the clubhouse after leaving the Safari nightclub on Hannan Street around 4.45am.

“Consideration can always be given if more than one person comes forward,” Ms Roberts said when asked about what would happen if more than one person came forward with information.

“That’s something my Government will be prepared to consider. We really want to solve this case.

If more than one person finds themselves eligible for all or part of that money I know our Government would give consideration to the payment of that money.

Today’s news about the reward jumping from $250,000 to $1 million comes as a documentary, Catching Lisa’s Killer: Fear and Murder in Kalgoorlie, delves into WA’s criminal underbelly to reveal fresh information about the long-running mystery.

The seven episodes break open the case to reveal new clues, including:

• Never-before-seen CCTV footage of Lisa on her last night
• Club Deroes bikie enforcer Andrew Edhouse — a man central to a blood-soaked bikie war around the time Ms Govan vanished — was seen kissing her hours before she disappeared
• Police are hunting a Toyota LandCruiser that was seen leaving the Deroes clubhouse the morning she is suspected of being murdered
• A previously unknown witness, Goldfields businessman Robin Wade, gave a statement to police in 1999 but was ignored and later threatened by someone claiming to be a Deroe
• A declaration by the lead detective that he knows exactly where and how Ms Govan died but is shy on evidence

The decision to boost the reward from $250,000 to $1 million, and news that more than one person might claim the money, will heap further pressure on the Club Deroes.

The secretive gang has refused to speak to police about what happened at the clubhouse that morning.

Mrs Roberts said police could protect witnesses who came forward with information.

“There will be appropriate protection for people that come forward,” she said. “Police are prepared to re-locate people.”

She stressed that it was a “life-changing” amount of money.

The $1 million reward comes four years after the original $50,000 reward was increased to $250,000.

Former Kalgoorlie MP Megan Anwyl, who fought for the initial reward when Ms Govan went missing, applauded the $1 million decision.

“In July 2000 I started lobbying the Court State Government to post a significant reward for information that would help to locate Lisa Govan,” Ms Anwyl said.

• Lisa Govan mystery: CCTV footage shows victim kissing Club Deroes bikie Andrew Edhouse in Kalgoorlie laneway
• Lisa Govan mystery: New clues and $1 million police reward to catch a killer
• Lisa Govan mystery: Secret witness Robin Wade claims he saw victim and bikies shot at him for speaking

“It’s impossible for me to comprehend the level of anguish and grief that Lisa’s parents and sister would have experienced since her disappearance so long ago in October 1999.

“This increased reward and the coverage by Seven West Media is the best chance yet to get information so that the Govans do find their beloved Lisa.”

Ms Govan’s parents, Ian and Pat, yesterday fronted cameras as part of a press conference held to announce the $1 million reward. 

It is the third time in 20 years the couple have spoken to media about a new reward for information.

Watch the documentary: Catching Lisa’s Killer - Fear and murder in Kalgoorlie

They stressed they felt “confident” in the cold case squad’s ability to solve the case. Mr Govan said he hoped the new pitch for answers would throw light on where his daughter’s body is hidden.

“This is something we’re pondered over for 21 years,” he said.

“Finding out where Lisa is would be a big stepping stone for us. The Police Force today is far more dedicated than the one from 21 years ago. Back then Kalgoorlie was a cowboy town.”