An inquest into the disappearance and suspected death of Jessica Zrinski has heard police let the last known person to see her alive slip under the radar.
Jessica Zrinski, 31, was living with her grandmother in Bossley Park, western Sydney, when she went missing on November 29, 2022.
An inquest on Monday was shown footage of Ms Zrinski entering the car park of the Greenfield Tavern about 10.02pm on November 28. She was wearing an orange crop top and black leggings.
Ms Zrinski met Paul Jones, aged in his early 40s, for the first time in the car park. He had earlier been seen in the pub’s pokies area.
She and Mr Jones were then seen leaving the car park in Mr Jones’ blue Holden Commodore, which headed to a service station in Horsley Park where he bought fuel, cigarettes and two bottles of soft drink.
A passenger wearing an orange top was visible in the Commodore’s front seat. The newly released CCTV footage is the last known sighting of Ms Zrinski.
That vehicle was later seen at another service station before it was spotted driving westbound on Great Western Highway at 10.15am – with no passenger.
Ms Zrinski has not been heard from since.
Jessica Zrinski (above) went missing after getting into a Blue Holden Commodore at a pub in Greenfield Park in Sydney’s southwest on Monday, November 28 2022
CCTV captured Ms Zrinski (above) wearing an orange singlet top and long black leggings
Ms Zrinski was seen in the carpark of the Greenfield Tavern on Mimosa Road before she got into a blue Holden Commodore (above) with Paul Jones
Two days later, on December 1, Mr Jones’ car was taken to a car wash where he paid $90 for a car polish and detail.
Staff did not report finding any blood or suspicious items in the vehicle.
The pair did not previously know each other before meeting at the carpark but Ms Zrinski had been known to approach people to ask for a cigarette or lift.
The vehicle was later seized from a Sydney caravan park where Mr Jones was residing.
However, Jones withdrew $9,000 shortly after Ms Zrinski went missing and went off the radar.
He reportedly travelled to Bunbury, Western Australia, in late January 2023 and payphone records suggest he may have then travelled to Queensland.
However, his current whereabouts are unknown.
Mr Jones is believed to be the man NSW Police asked the public for help finding in 2023.
Police in 2023 announced a $500,000 reward for information about Ms Zrinski’s disappearance
In May 2023, a three-day search of bushland was launched in the Hampton State Forest (above)
At the time, detectives offered $500,000 for information.
In May 2023, a three-day search of bushland was launched in the Hampton State Forest, about 115km west of Sydney in the NSW Central Tablelands.
Detectives believe Jessica may have entered or visited the state forest sometime after getting into the Holden Commodore.
NSW Police previously vowed no stone would go unturned in the search.
‘We strongly urge anyone who may know any further information on Jessica’s whereabouts to please come forward,’ a spokesperson told reporters at the time.
‘We want to find her and provide her family with much-needed answers.’
Ms Zrinski is described as of Caucasian appearance, 165cm tall, with a thin build and has blonde hair.
She has tattoos on her right index finger, her left wrist and on the back of her neck.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
