The following article contains names and images of people who have died.

Next week will mark the beginning of a coronial inquiry in Bourke, seeking justice for the Smith family 35 years after two young cousins were found dead. 

The bodies of local Indigenous girls Jacinta Rose Smith and Mona Lisa Smith were 15 and 16, respectively, when they were found near a smashed ute north of Bourke on the Mitchell Highway in 1987. 

Alongside them was 40-year-old Alexander Ian Grant, a non-Indigenous man who had driven the girls there.

Mr Grant was alive, found with his arm draped around Jacinta, who was partially naked. 

The coronial inquest in 1988 was suspended for the trial of Mr Grant.

Prior to the trial, charges of sexually interfering with Jacinta’s body were withdrawn. He faced charges of drink-driving resulting in both girls’ deaths. 

 In front of an all-white jury, he was acquitted and allowed to walk free. 

Cindy (L) and Mona (R) Smith. (National Justice Project)

Mr Grant died in 2018, and last year the NSW Coroner announced the inquest would reopen. 

Next week’s coronial inquiry is a long time coming for the Smith family. 

“We’re one step closer to finding out the truth and giving the girls' closure,” Mona’s sister Fiona Smith said when it was announced the inquiry would be resumed. 

“We’ve been waiting a long time for this moment…we feel lighter now,” she said.

Jacinta’s sister Kerrie Smith said that accountability from the inquiry is crucial. 

“We need to find out what really happened to give us some peace, but the police failed us all the way.”

“If a blackfella did that to two white girls, they would have gone to jail,” she said. 

The inquiry was reopened after pressure from the National Justice Project. 

If this story has caused you distress, contact Lifeline (13 11 14) or 13YARN (13 92 76) for support.