Cold Case Homicide Squad detectives have charged a man with the murder of a young Perth mother who has not been seen since late 2001.
The detectives became aware of Rebecca Delalande's disappearance in late 2017 while conducting inquiries into unrelated matters.
Further inquiries with family and friends revealed she had not be seen or been in contact since November 2001. She was 23 at the time.
"Rebecca was in infrequent contact with her family prior to her disappearance, and they formed the belief that she had relocated to the eastern states," Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Stephen said.
"News of Rebecca's disappearance has clearly been distressing for her family and friends."
Rockingham man Chris Blennerhassett, 45, was charged with Ms Delalande's murder, and appeared in a Perth court on Saturday.
He was not required to enter a plea and was remanded in custody until November 28.
Detective Senior Sergeant Stephen said a crane and a concrete cutter were being sent to an industrial site in Bayswater in Perth's east as part of the investigation.
"There are shipping containers in place that will have to be removed before we can start our forensic examination," he said.
"As you're aware the disappearance was 16 or 17 years ago, so some of the premises are the same as they were then but others have changed … so we're going to be concentrating on an area at the back of the warehouse.
"It's early in the search process, it will take a number of days to be in a position where we will commence our forensic examination.
"We would like to thank community members for coming forward and assisting with this investigation."
Anyone with information relating to the case is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
