There’s a place in Sydney famed for being a hippy haven with a chequered past.During the 1970s, the inner-east suburb of Kings Cross — or The Cross, as locals call it — was a magnet for free spirits, artists, and US soldiers returning from the Vietnam War.It also has a dark history of sex, crime and drugs.In the early days after Elaine Johnson went missing, her younger sisters, Helen and Wendy, were too young to search for her beyond their neighbourhood in the Shire.Instead, they relied on their parents for any news about Elaine’s whereabouts.Years later, they would uncover new details — ones that would lead them to search north of the Shire and Kings Cross to a small town with a motocross track.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.
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Flashes
Flashes, the pinball arcade where Elaine and Kerry hung out with friends, wasn't just a place for kids to play games and grab a burger. It doesn’t exist anymore, but when it did, Flashes was in a string of shops tucked away in a laneway off Cronulla’s main street and opened up to a local park. Picture pool tables and coin-slot games, playing pinball as your mates hung over the sides watching on and friends sat opposite each other frantically steering Pacman away from ghost gangs.There was a front counter where coins were doled out and food and drinks were bought. There were booths at the back where diners could chow down on burgers or slink away for some privacy.Though, it wasn’t always a happy place.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.
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Kerry
Kerry Anne Joel spent much of her teenage years in the beachside suburbs of southern Sydney.When she wasn't at school she spent time at Flashes, an amusement arcade in Cronulla.She also rode her dirt bike on local ovals and was a regular at a motocross track on the NSW Central Coast.One day in early 1980, Kerry took her mother's car out for a joyride with two friends. One of those friends was Elaine Johnson.On her way home Kerry had a small accident.Fearing she would get in trouble, Kerry drove the damaged car home before leaving on foot with the same two friends. It is believed Kerry, Elaine and the friend headed to Flashes.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.
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The Wildflower
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.
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Introducing: Searching for Elaine
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.
It was early 1980 when Elaine Johnson left her family home in southern Sydney.The eldest of five children, Elaine had lived in Kurnell and Cronulla after her family moved to Australia from the UK as Ten Pound Poms.She grew up riding bikes, sunbaking and watching Monty Python on TV.In the weeks leading up to her disappearance, Elaine left home after an argument over a house party.It is believed she stayed with her friend, Kerry Anne Joel.Neither Elaine nor Kerry has been seen since February 1980.For more than 40 years, Elaine’s family has been searching for answers. This is their story.
New Zealand