Strike Force Clanton II has been formed to investigate Mrs Fesus’s death. Her body was found buried between Shoalhaven Heads and Gerroa in 1997.

Police on Monday were joined by Mrs Fesus’s teenage daughter Kimberley, to renew an appeal for information into her death.

On Wednesday, August 13, 1997 Jodie Fesus, an 18-year-old mother of two from Mount Warrigal, near Wollongong, was reported missing by her husband, Steven Fesus.

Just under five weeks later, on Sunday, September 14, 1997, an anonymous caller contacted police, directing investigators to a shallow gravesite near a popular camping ground at Seven Mile Beach, Gerroa.

Police later identified the body found in the grave as being that of Mrs Fesus.

Despite a lengthy police investigation, and a 2005 coronial inquest, no person has ever been charged with the murder.

Unsolved Homicide Team Detective Chief Inspector John Lehmann launched the appeal for information at the Lake Illawarra Police Station.

Det Insp Lehmann said a review has found the case was worthy of new consideration and he believed the crime could be solved.

He said the renewed investigation would be managed by Strike Force Clanton II.

“Investigators will use newly developed and improved forensic technologies to examine various exhibits collected in the original investigation,” Det Insp Lehmann said.

“Jodie Fesus was the mother of two young children who were aged just one and two years old at the time she was murdered.

“Those children are now teenagers who have grown up without ever getting to know their mother.

“Recent technological advances in forensic investigation will aid our investigation and we will re-examine a number of items of interest collected by officers back in 1997.

“In short, we will do everything we can to solve this murder so that Jodie’s family can finally have some closure.”

In particular, detectives would like to speak with the person who called police on September 14, 1997 and directed officers to Jodie Fesus’s body.

Anyone with information that may assist the investigation is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the Crime Stoppers online reporting page https://www1.police.nsw.gov.au/.