Man arrested and charged over 1999 cold case murder

There’s been a cold case breakthrough in New South Wales, with police arresting a man in relation to a 1999 murder.

Detectives have been re-investigating the murder of Michelle Bright, 17, whose body was found near Gulgong more than 21 years ago.

She was last seen alive on Saturday February 27, 1999, when a friend dropped her off at Herbert Street following a birthday party.

Her body was then found three days later in long grass along Barneys Reef Road.

The next year, police offered a $100,000 reward for information that would lead to an arrest and conviction.

That was then increased to $500,000 following a 2009 Coronial inquest into the murder.

Recently, that reward was boosted to $1 million by the NSW government, to assist Strike Force Mitcham II with their inquiries.

Last night, detectives have arrested a 53-year-old man near Mudgee, and he’s now been charged with murder, two counts of inflict actual bodily harm with intent to have sexual intercourse with victim and attempt choke/strangle with intent to commit indictable offence.

He was refused bail to appear at Mudgee Local Court today.