A LANCASTER mother who emigrated to Australia has turned private detective to search for the teenage daughter she fears has been murdered.

And the Lancaster-based family of Margaret Stephenson say they will do everything they can to support her investigation - even though it could lead to the discovery of her daughter's body.

Hayley Stephenson, 17, was having a wonderful time in her new Australian home last summer when she decided to hitch across the country to stay with a friend.

She hasn't been seen by her family or friends since.

Hayley was last spotted by a member of the public just five miles from her destination but after a two-month police investigation the case was closed leaving her family fearing the worst.

But giving up on her daughter is something Margaret will never do and she has the total support of her loving Lancastrian family.

This Friday, six of Hayley's cousins will be holding a sponsored swim at Salt Ayre to raise money to continue the search.

"She was a quiet, shy girl," remembers Hayley's aunt, Marie. "She hadn't changed a bit since my sister and her family went to start a new life in Australia. She's actually named after me - her middle name's the same as mine. I always remember her as a little girl when she was at Skerton Primary School. All I know is we need to help her mother. The whole family will do anything we can to help her find Hayley."

Marie and Margaret have criticised the Australian police for giving up their search. Marie has even written to the Australian newspapers claiming the police investigation was flawed and that important leads were not followed.

Hayley was seen to turn down lifts and they believe she may have been waiting for someone she knew.

"We know there's only two possibilities about what happened to her," added Marie, "she's either been abducted or murdered. We know that because Hayley wouldn't just disappear. She'd left home one week before and had called her mum every single day. She was a homeloving, quiet girl. If she was able, she would have called her mum."

To sponsor the family's Salt Ayre swimming marathon call Hayley's aunt, Kath, on 69485.

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