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The "area of interest" flagged in a volunteer-led investigation for the remains of a British girl who went missing in Australia 55 years ago has proven to be a mistaken lead, local authorities confirmed.

A group of searchers who used specialized canines in the quest for Cheryl Grimmer had believed their discovery would mark a major development in the case, which has remained a mystery since she disappeared in 1970, when she was three.

But skeletal fragments that were found in the location are from an animal, police stated in response to questions, noting that the operation had "ended."

Authorities suspect the young girl, who had moved from Bristol with her relatives, was abducted from a coastal area in the city in the start of 1970.

Recent Search Efforts

Thursday's search happened in Balgownie, on a small pocket of forest referenced in a confession made by a teenage boy.

In 2019, a court case of the suspect, known only by a codename, the pseudonym, who'd been indicted with Cheryl's abduction and murder, ended abruptly. The individual, in his 60s then, had rejected any involvement.

Legal authorities later dropped charges against him as a court official disallowed the statement he made as a juvenile.

Ongoing Mystery

Authorities have conducted many searches in the decades since Cheryl went missing, but have found limited clues as to what happened to her.

NSW authorities have offered a one million Australian dollar reward for tips on the case of Cheryl's disappearance and presumed death.

Relatives' Views

Cheryl's brother Ricki, 62, has openly discussed what he believes are errors in the police investigation going back to the time she went missing.

He was seven then. He last saw his sibling in the changing rooms at Fairy Meadow on the day she vanished.

Public Response

A petition asking the local government to establish an investigation into missing persons investigations handled by NSW Police, such as Cheryl's, collected more than 10,000 signatures this summer.

It was discussed in the legislature, but in a letter addressing those who signed, state authorities made no commitment to holding an inquiry.