Ireland Gardaí renew appeal on 30th anniversary of Fiona Pender's disappearance and murder
Fiona Pender, a 25-year-old hairdresser and part-time model from Tullamore, Co Offaly, was reported missing from her flat on Church Street in Tullamore on 23 August 1996. She was seven months pregnant, and her body has never been found; Gardaí are treating her disappearance as murder. The sources describe the suspect only as a man, and five people have previously been arrested and detained in connection with the investigation, but no one has been charged or brought to justice. Gardaí searched near Clonaslee, Co Laois, after a 2014 search for remains at Capard, Rosenallis. On 23 August 2026, the 30th anniversary, Gardaí renewed their appeal to anyone who met or saw Fiona in the early morning of 23 August 1996, and no new arrests or charges have been reported.
- Reported
- Arrested
- Charged
- In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Fiona Pender, a 25-year-old hairdresser and part-time model, disappeared on 23 August 1996 and her murder is being investigated.
- Where
- Fiona was last seen at her flat on Church Street in Tullamore, Co Offaly.
- When
- Fiona was last seen at about 6am on Friday 23 August 1996.
- Other details
- Fiona was seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance.
- Fiona was described as 5ft 5in tall, with long blonde hair, and was wearing bright-coloured clothing and white leggings when last seen.
- Fiona's body has never been located.
- The suspect is described only as a man, and a family friend urged the media to track down the chief suspect and ask him hard questions.
- Investigation
- Gardaí in the Laois Offaly Division have carried out a sustained investigation for 30 years, led by a Senior Investigating Officer, and have taken over 300 statements.
- Five people have been arrested and detained in connection with the investigation.
- The most recent search took place in Laois near Clonaslee, not far from a 2014 search for Fiona's remains at Capard, Rosenallis.
- On 23 August 2026, Gardaí renewed their appeal to anyone who met or saw Fiona in the early morning of 23 August 1996 to come forward.
- Charges
- No person has been charged or brought to justice for the disappearance and murder.
21 statements extracted from the articles
- whatGardaí have issued a fresh appeal for information about Fiona Pender. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatThe article marks 30 years since the disappearance and murder of a Tullamore woman. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereFiona was last seen at her flat on Church Street in Tullamore, Co Offaly. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whereFiona Pender was reported missing from her flat on Church Street in Tullamore. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenFiona was last seen at about 6am on Friday 23 August 1996. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenFiona Pender disappeared on 23 August 1996. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí in the Laois Offaly Division have carried out a sustained investigation over the last 30 years. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe investigation continues to be led by a Senior Investigating Officer. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationFive people were arrested and detained in connection with the investigation. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationFiona has never been located and no one has been brought to justice. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe most recent search took place in Laois near Clonaslee, not far from a 2014 search for her remains at Capard, Rosenallis. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí are appealing to anyone who met or saw Fiona in the early morning of Friday 23 August 1996. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí have carried out a sustained investigation over the last 30 years, led by a Senior Investigating Officer. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationThe investigation team has collated thousands of documents and reports and taken over 300 statements. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí appealed to anyone who met or saw Fiona Pender in the early morning of 23 August 1996 to come forward. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherFiona was 25 years old when she went missing. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherFiona was seven months pregnant at the time of her disappearance. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherFiona Pender was a 25-year-old hairdresser and part-time model. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherFiona Pender's body has never been located. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherNo person has been brought to justice for the disappearance and murder. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherA family friend urged the media to track down the chief suspect and ask him hard questions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 23 Aug2026Crowds gather to remember murdered Offaly woman Fiona Pender
Anniversary commemoration and renewed Garda appeal for a 1996 cold case. Five people have been arrested previously, but no person has been brought to justice. No new arrests or charges are reported.
victim, Fiona Pender, 25, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Pendersuspect, male - 21 Aug2026Garda appeal ahead of 30th anniversary of Fiona Pender's murder and disappearance
Cold case appeal marking 30 years since Fiona Pender's disappearance and murder. Adds the 1996 details, the seven-month pregnancy, the 2014 search and the earlier arrests. No new arrests or charges are reported.
victim, Fiona Pender, 25, female, irish (judged from name)Fiona Pender