Jon Kay returns with an update on his investigation into the disappearance of Cheryl Grimmer from a beach in New South Wales, Australia in January 1970.
In this episode, Jon follows up some of the many emails from listeners who got in touch after the podcast came out - including potential witnesses who think they might have important information.
In this episode, Jon hears their stories and find out what response they’ve had from the police.
And he catches up with Cheryl’s family, as they step up their campaign for justice.
Presented by Jon Kay, original music composed by Elizabeth Purnell, and produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Chris Ledgard
20 Nov 2023
Bonus Episode: A New Lead
Jon Kay updates his investigation into the disappearance of 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer from an Australian beach in 1970. Cheryl's family are determined to get her case back into court.
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
2 Feb 2022
8. The Girl With Blonde Hair And Blue Eyes
It's the 50th anniversary of Cheryl's disappearance and the police have an announcement to make.
Fairy Meadow is presented by BBC News correspondent Jon Kay
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
Music by Elizabeth Purnell
Studio engineer, Jacques Sweeney
Editor, James Cook
26 Jan 2022
7. Mercury's Story
Jon tries to approach Mercury to hear his side of the story.
Producer: Chris Ledgard
Music: Elizabeth Purnell
Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney
Editor: James Cook
26 Jan 2022
6. The Walk Through
Frank has left the police but can't let go of Cheryl's story.
Jon Kay continues to investigate what happened to 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer, who vanished from a beach New South Wales, Australia more than 50 years ago.
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
Music: Elizabeth Purnell
Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney
Editor: James Cook
26 Jan 2022
5. A Judgement
Two years after he's arrested and charged with abducting Cheryl Grimmer, Mercury appears in court in Sydney.
BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay continues his investigation into Cheryl's story.
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
Music is by Elizabeth Purnell
Jacques Sweeney is the studio engineer and the editor is James Cook
19 Jan 2022
4. I Was Never There
Nearly half a century after 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer goes missing from an Australian beach, the police make an arrest. Meanwhile, Ricki heads to the other side of the world.
BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay meets him in Bristol, where he visits his old family home and catches up with his British relatives as the trial looms.
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
Music: Elizabeth Purnell
Studio Engineer: Jacques Sweeney
Editor: James Cook
19 Jan 2022
3. Somebody of Interest
The Grimmer family have always hung on to the idea that somehow Cheryl might still be alive. Then, out of the blue, Ricki gets a call from the police which seems to put an end to their hopes.
BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay continues his investigation into the disappearance of 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer from an Australian beach in 1970. He meets one of the two detectives involved in a cold case review. There's someone the police want to talk to.
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
Music: Elizabeth Purnell
Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney
Editor: James Cook
11 Jan 2022
2. A Ransom Note
The Grimmer family are thousands of miles from home, and the Fairy Meadow migrant hostel is a lonely place in the days after Cheryl's disappearance. Then a note arrives from someone claiming to be the kidnapper. There's a rendezvous and a demand for cash...
BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay continues his investigation into the abduction of 3 year old Cheryl Grimmer from a beach in New South Wales, Australia in 1970.
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
Music: Elizabeth Purnell
Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney
Editor: James Cook
11 Jan 2022
1. When the Wind Changed
The Grimmer family moved from the UK to Australia in 1969. They were "ten pound poms" - part of a huge wave of migration down under.
Months later, Three-year-old Cheryl Grimmer disappeared from Fairy Meadow beach in New South Wales. She was never seen again. In the moments before she vanished, she was being looked after by her oldest brother, Ricki. He was just seven.
This is the story of that day, and of its impact in the months, years and decades that followed. It's Ricki's story - his desperate search for answers, and his battle with guilt.
And it's the story of an extraordinary police enquiry that was dramatically re-started almost 50 years after Cheryl was taken.
BBC News Correspondent Jon Kay has been investigating the case in Australia and in the UK since 2016. With exclusive access to the family and the investigating officers, he begins an eight-part exploration of this moving, gripping tale.
Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard
Music: Elizabeth Purnell
Studio engineer: Jacques Sweeney
Editor: James Cook
5 Jan 2022
Coming Soon
A summer's day, 1970, and a mum and her four kids are on a beach in Australia. They're migrants, newly arrived from the UK, part of the generation of "ten-pound poms" looking for a fresh start down under.
The oldest child, Ricki, takes his little sister, Cheryl, up to the changing blocks. Cheryl is never seen again.
This is the story of what really happens to a family after a child goes missing. It's the story of Ricki's guilt and how it changed his life. And it's the story of a mystery that won't go away. Because nearly half a century after Cheryl disappeared, the case is moving again...
Fairy Meadow is presented by BBC News correspondent Jon Kay and produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Chris Ledgard.
Inside a recent episode
10. Case Closed?
Published 29 Sept 2025 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And at this one that's particularly over 50-odd years old, it wouldn't be something that would be high on their priorities, unfortunately. I wish I had this information when I was running the inquiry. We would have got down to it very, very quickly and very early, and we maybe could have used that evidence. I contacted New South Wales Police for a response and they told me that all the information I passed on had been taken seriously, properly assessed and evaluated on its merits. The force said that not everyone who comes forward in an investigation will always be interviewed and follow-ups are only done when information is found to be consistent, verifiable or of potential investigative value. […]
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