Former 'girl in the cupboard' missing person dies

Natasha Ryan, who was at the centre of a missing person and suspected murder mystery, has died. (Tony Phillips/AAP PHOTOS)

As a teenager, Natasha Ryan made international headlines when she was found hiding in her boyfriend's cupboard.

More than 20 years later, Ms Ryan - now 40 - has died in central Queensland.

The mother-of-four's body was reportedly found on a Rockhampton golf course on Sunday morning.

Natasha Ryan walks from the Yepoon house where she'd hidden
Natasha Ryan appeared alive in 2003 after spending five years hiding at her boyfriend's house.

Police described her death as "sudden and non-suspicious".

Ms Ryan was just 14 when she disappeared in Rockhampton back in August 1998, sparking fears she had been murdered.

A number of women and girls had disappeared in the area at the time, later found to be victims of serial killer Leonard John Fraser.

Her family thought she had died, even holding a memorial service.

Almost five years after she went missing, Ms Ryan remarkably reappeared.

After a tipoff, Ms Ryan was found by police hiding in a cupboard at her boyfriend Scott Black's north Rockhampton residence in April 2003.

The Yepoon house where a teenaged Natasha Ryan hid out.
Natasha Ryan never explained publicly why she'd hidden at her boyfriend's Yepoon house.

She was discovered in the middle of the Brisbane trial of Fraser, who had been charged with Ms Ryan's murder.

It emerged that Ms Ryan had willingly kept a low profile at Mr Black's residence, leaving only a handful of times over the years for night trips with her boyfriend to a nearby beach.

Ms Ryan later told police Mr Black - seven years her senior - had tried to get her to go home over the years but she kept asking him to help her.

Mr Black served a 12-month jail term for perjury after lying to a court about his girlfriend's whereabouts.

In 2006 Ms Ryan was fined $1,000 after she and Mr Black were found guilty of causing a false police investigation.

They later married.

Ms Ryan never disclosed why she had run away and hid from family and friends for years.

"I'm never going to say publicly why I left," she told New Idea magazine in November 2007.

"I know why I left. I'm not sure my mum and my sister completely know all the reasons.

"I'm not sure it would make any difference saying why I left - I feel whatever I say wouldn't be good enough for the pain I've caused my family."

Ms Ryan again went missing in Rockhampton on the weekend, sparking a land and air search.

Police said emergency crews discovered the 40-year-old's body in west Rockhampton on Sunday.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

"I don't know anything more than...the public reporting. This is obviously a tragic story and my sympathies go to her family and loved ones," Queensland Premier Steven Miles said on Monday.

Locals said Ms Ryan would be remembered as a wonderful wife, mother and nurse.

"Fly high Tash, the angels will love you. We all did," Sue Dodt posted on social media.

Lifeline 13 11 14

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store