Police in Western Australia have charged a man over the death of a Perth teenager who was reported missing almost 27 years ago, alleging he killed her by injecting her with a substance before burying her in a bush grave.
Radina Djukich, then 14, was last seen in May 1992 leaving her home in the Perth suburb of North Beach.
Almost three decades later, WA Police have revealed 69-year-old Ronald Joseph Buckland has been charged by cold case detectives with her manslaughter.
Mr Buckland is understood to have been living with Ms Djukich at the time of her disappearance.
The teenager's body has never been found.
WA Police Deputy Commissioner Gary Budge said the charge came after police received fresh information more than a year ago.
He said that resulted in officers reviewing old details from the missing persons investigation.
"It will be alleged that he provided an injection to Radina and she subsequently died. He later [allegedly] buried her body in a bush location," he said.
"At this time we think about her family, who will find this quite traumatic and another episode in their life.
"We are very pleased to have brought this to a charge but there is still a long way to go.
"We will never give up on these cases."
Police appeal for more information
Deputy Commissioner Budge said investigations into Ms Djukich's death were ongoing.
"Over a period of time friendships and acquaintances change. There may be someone out there who has some information about Radina's manslaughter or circumstances around that and we'd like to encourage those people to come forward now," he said.
"There have been a number of attempts over the past 27 years to recover Radina's remains, all unsuccessful. There are no plans to do that again right at this time."
Mr Buckland is due to appear in court on Friday.
