Former missing person Natasha Ryan Dies at 41

Natasha Ryan, who became famous for hiding in her boyfriend’s cupboard, leading her family and police to believe she had been murdered, has died in Rockhampton, central Queensland.

She was found dead by police at a Rockhampton golf course on June 2, 2024, at the age of 41.

Ryan disappeared in August 1998 at the age of 14, sparking one of Australia’s most notorious missing persons cases.

She hid at the north Rockhampton home of her boyfriend, Scott Black, and remained out of sight for more than five years.

Her disappearance coincided with several high-profile disappearances of women and girls in Rockhampton, who were later discovered to be victims of serial killer Leonard John Fraser.

Believing she had been murdered, Ryan’s family held a memorial service three years after her disappearance. Fraser was even charged with her murder.

However, during his trial in April 2003, a tip-off led police to raid Black’s home, where they found Ryan alive and hiding in a cupboard. Her reappearance made international headlines.

Black, who was seven years older than Ryan, was jailed for a year for perjury after testifying during Fraser’s trial that he had not seen Ryan since her disappearance. In 2008, Ryan and Black married and had four children.

Following her reappearance, Ryan appeared on Nine’s 60 Minutes program, where she stated that Black had not held her against her will and had tried multiple times to convince her to call home.

Ryan’s death is not being treated as suspicious. Queensland Premier Steven Miles commented on her passing, calling it a tragic story and extending his sympathies to her family and loved ones.