Campbell – a member of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at the time – was reported missing to the RAAF after she didn’t show up for her shift two days later.
After she couldn’t be found by the RAAF, her mother reported her missing to Victoria Police.
By 1998, a coronial inquest declared that Campbell was most likely dead, however, there’s been little to no evidence that suggests how she died.
Almost 40 years later, police are still investigating her disappearance, and are asking the public for assistance.
“I want to assure people that no matter how much time has passed, we are committed to finding those responsible and holding them to account,” Detective Inspector of the Missing Persons Squad, Dave Dunstan said.
“I have no doubt there are people with information that can help us solve Debra’s disappearance and I am urging those people to come forward.
“We believe we can solve this case – as we often say, we could only be one phone call away, it just needs to be the right call.”
Investigators believe that Campbell’s disappearance involved “foul play”, and are asking the public for any information about the case as her family continues to mourn their loss.
“The most awful part is not knowing where she is or what happened to her, and that the person responsible for taking my daughter away has not been held accountable, Campbell’s mother Jean said.
“I’m desperately hopeful that the re-investigation of my daughters’ case may bring us answers after all these years.
“I love her and still miss her so dearly.”
The 21-year-old was wearing a pair of blue jeans and a pink t-shirt with a ‘Madness’ rock group motif on the front in black, and a pair of blue Adidas runners when she went missing.
Police say she may have been carrying a green handbag with a gold stripe on it.
A ‘spy’ was sent to an island to die. 100 years later, the army admitted he was innocent