Murder: Police admit they blundered 26 year old woman's case

Harmony Bryant was just 26 years old when she was found dying in bushland near Bonny Hills, on the NSW mid-north coast, in the early hours of August 16, 2003.

She had a broken pelvis, a fractured wrist and left arm, and burns covering 60 per cent of her body. Her car, a Hyundai Excel, was found ablaze about 200 metres from the road.

Police believe she had fallen from a nearby cliff before being returned to the vehicle by an unknown person or persons, who then set it alight.

She died in hospital a month later, on September 19, 2003.

Despite the horrific and unusual circumstances, investigators initially treated the incident as nothing more than a motor vehicle accident and a fire.

It would take four more years before her death was re-classified as a homicide. And that too only because her family refused to accept the official version of events and conducted their own investigation.

A 2011 coronial inquest found Ms Bryant had died from burns caused by a person or persons unknown, and concluded the officer in charge had made an incorrect assessment despite numerous suspicious features at the scene.

The officer had failed to revise his report even after receiving information that something was seriously wrong. Critical opportunities in the 48 hours after her discovery were lost as a result.

NSW Homicide Squad Commander Joe Doueihi this week acknowledged the investigation had fallen short.

"The initial investigation was treated as a motor vehicle accident and a fire, and no suspicion was raised at that time," he said.

"Things could have been done better."

Ms Bryant's mother Karen delivered a raw and heartfelt appeal on Thursday to anyone withholding information about her daughter's final hours.

"Her father knew from the time he went to the site that this was no accident," Ms Bryant said.

"Unfortunately, he passed away eight months ago and he didn't get to see his suspicions acknowledged."

"Today you have been offered one million reasons to come forward."

Police believe Ms Bryant had booked accommodation for two people at a nearby caravan park on the night she died, but the identity of her companion has never been established.

No one has ever been charged.

The reward, increased tenfold from the $100,000 offered in 2011, represents the NSW Government's most significant push yet to crack a case that has haunted detectives and one family for nearly 23 years.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.