Gardaí renew appeal for information ahead of 30th anniversary of Fiona Pender murder
Fiona Pender, a 25-year-old hairdresser who was seven months pregnant, was last seen at approximately 6am on 23 August 1996 in her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly. John Thompson, who was in a relationship with Pender at the time, was arrested on suspicion of withholding information along with his three sisters and his father, but all five were released without charge. The case was upgraded to a murder investigation in 2025, and over 300 statements have been taken during the sustained investigation by the Laois Offaly Division, though Fiona's body has never been located and no person has been brought to justice. On 21 August 2026, gardaí renewed their appeal for information ahead of the 30th anniversary of her disappearance.
- Reported21 Aug
3 reports - Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Fiona Pender, a 25-year-old hairdresser who was seven months pregnant, disappeared on 23 August 1996.
- John Thompson, who was in a relationship with Pender, was arrested on suspicion of withholding information along with his three sisters and his father.
- Where
- She was last seen in her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
- When
- She was last seen at approximately 6am on Friday, 23 August 1996.
- Investigation
- All five arrested were released without charge.
- The Laois Offaly Division carried out a sustained investigation over 30 years, taking over 300 statements and collating thousands of documents.
- The case was upgraded to a murder investigation in 2025.
- Extensive searches were carried out, including at an area of bogland in Killeigh, Co. Offaly.
- Other details
- Fiona's body has never been located and no person has been brought to justice.
- Gardaí renewed their appeal for information on 21 August 2026 ahead of the 30th anniversary.
37 statements extracted from the articles
- whatFiona Pender was 25 years old when she went missing (garda.ie)
- whatShe was wearing bright-coloured clothing and white leggings when last seen (garda.ie)
- whatFiona was seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance (garda.ie)
- whatFiona Pender was a 25-year-old hairdresser (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe was seven months pregnant when she disappeared (irishtimes.com)
- whatJohn Thompson was in a relationship with Pender when she vanished (irishtimes.com)
- whatFiona's father Seán died by suicide in 2000 (irishtimes.com)
- whatFiona's brother Mark was fatally injured in a motorcycle crash in 1995 (irishtimes.com)
- whatShe was wearing bright-coloured clothing and white leggings when last spotted. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatFiona was 25 years old at the time she went missing. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShe was seven months pregnant when she went missing. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatShe was five foot five inches tall with long blonde hair. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereShe was last seen in her flat on Church Street, Tullamore, Co. Offaly (garda.ie, irishtimes.com)
- whereThe most recent search took place at an area of bogland in Killeigh, Co Offaly (irishtimes.com)
- whereShe was last seen in her flat on Church Street in Tullamore, Co Offaly. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenFiona Pender was last seen at approximately 6am on 23 August 1996 (garda.ie)
- whenShe disappeared on 23 August 1996 (irishtimes.com)
- whenFiona Pender was last seen at approximately 6am on Friday, 23 August 1996. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí in the Laois Offaly Division carried out a sustained investigation over 30 years (garda.ie)
- investigationThe investigation is led by a Senior Investigating Officer (garda.ie)
- investigationThe team discovered and collated thousands of documents and reports (garda.ie)
- investigationOver 300 statements of evidence were taken (garda.ie)
- investigationA number of exhibits were retained (garda.ie)
- investigationFive people were arrested and detained in connection with the investigation (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- investigationExtensive searches have been carried out (garda.ie)
- investigationNo person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder (garda.ie, irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe case was upgraded to a murder investigation in 2025 (irishtimes.com)
- investigationMore than 300 statements have been taken over the past 30 years (irishtimes.com)
- investigationFive people have been arrested and detained in connection with the investigation (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThompson was arrested on suspicion of withholding information (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThompson's three sisters and his father were also arrested (irishtimes.com)
- investigationAll five were released without charge (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí in the Laois Offaly Division have carried out a sustained investigation over the last 30 years. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe investigation team have taken over 300 statements of evidence and retained a number of exhibits. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationNo person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder of Fiona. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherGardaí appeal to anyone who met or saw Fiona in the early morning of 23 August 1996 to come forward (garda.ie)
- otherInformation can be provided to Tullamore Garda Station on (057) 9327600 or the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 (garda.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 21 Aug2026Gardaí renew appeal for information ahead of anniversary of Fiona Pender murder
Renewed appeal for information ahead of the 30th anniversary; details the 30-year investigation including over 300 statements, five arrests, and the fact that Fiona's body has never been found and no one has been brought to justice.
victim, Fiona Pender, 25, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Pendersuspectsuspectsuspectsuspectsuspect - 21 Aug2026Gardaí appeal for information ahead of 30th anniversary of Fiona Pender’s disappearance
Renewed appeal for information ahead of the 30th anniversary; details of previous arrests (John Thompson and four family members, all released without charge), searches including bogland at Killeigh, and the 2025 upgrade to a murder investigation are provided.
victim, Fiona Pender, 25, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Pendersuspect, John Thompson, male, named, irish (judged from name)John Thompson - 21 Aug202621/08/2026 30th Anniversary of the Disappearance and Murder of Fiona Pender, 23rd August 1996
Official Garda press release for the 30th anniversary appeal, confirming over 300 statements taken, five arrests made, extensive searches carried out, and body never located.
victim, Fiona Pender, 25, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Pendersuspectsuspectsuspectsuspectsuspect