One Woman’s Mission to Investigate the Cases Police Abandoned

NATIONWIDE - AUGUST 2025 - (USAnews.com) The files had been shelved for years. Six Indigenous men vanished under similar circumstances in regional Western Australia. There were no front-page stories, no sweeping searches, and no lasting attention from law enforcement. But for Robyn Cottman, the unanswered questions and quiet neglect were too glaring to ignore.

“I couldn’t look away,” says Cottman, founder of Cottman Investigation Services. “The deeper I dug, the more I saw these weren’t just isolated cases. There was a pattern.”

As a licensed private investigator and former WA Police officer, Robyn Cottman has committed her post-policing career to shedding light on unresolved cold cases and systemic oversights—especially in ones involving Australia’s Indigenous communities.

From the Force to the Field

Robyn Cottman spent nearly a decade with the Western Australia Police, where she served in multiple specialist units. Her private investigation work focuses on several high-profile cases, including the murder of Stacey Thorne and the disappearances of several Aboriginal men. With formal training in intelligence, covert operations, and sexual assault investigations, she also holds a Bachelor of Psychology and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling.

After years in public service, Cottman transitioned into private investigation to continue the pursuit of truth on her own terms. Founding Cottman Investigation Services (CIS) was not just a career decision—it was a response to the cases she felt still needed answers.

“I wasn’t ready to stop doing the work. I just wanted the freedom to go where the evidence took me,” she explains.

Casework That Confronts the Status Quo

Cottman Investigation Services operates as a full-spectrum investigative agency. The firm handles matters ranging from infidelity and fraud to complex corporate investigations and background checks. However, what distinguishes CIS is its sustained focus on getting justice for victims and families—especially those whose cases have grown cold over time.

In multiple instances, Cottman has reopened inquiries into the disappearances of Indigenous men whose families felt their cases were prematurely closed or under-resourced. In one case, she tracked communications data and local witness reports that had not been fully examined. In another, she worked alongside national media to amplify a family’s call for renewed attention.

Through these efforts, she has uncovered recurring challenges: delayed initial response times, limited forensic follow-through, and disparities in investigative urgency based on cultural background.

“These aren’t simply overlooked files. They represent real people whose lives and families deserve answers,” Cottman says.

Private Practice, Public Impact

Although CIS is a private entity, its work often reaches far beyond its client base. Cottman has worked with national broadcasts, such as Channel 7’s Spotlight, contributing her investigative findings to broader public discourse. Her approach is both methodical and empathetic—built on professional rigor and human understanding.

Families often come to CIS when traditional channels are exhausted. The firm’s multidisciplinary team includes investigators with backgrounds in law enforcement, intelligence, and legal affairs. Each case is approached with confidentiality, discretion, and an emphasis on actionable outcomes.

CIS offers the following core services:

• Surveillance and Monitoring: Gathering evidence in cases involving suspected infidelity, insurance fraud, or employee misconduct.
  
  

• Background Checks: Verification of individual histories for employment, tenancy, or due diligence.
  
  

• Missing Persons: Using investigative tools and networks to locate missing individuals or reconnect families.
  
  

• Fraud Investigations: Identifying patterns of deceit that impact both personal and business interests.
  
  

• Corporate Investigations: Supporting companies with internal inquiries, theft detection, and compliance assessments.

Every case is handled with care, precision, and legal compliance.

Understanding the Need for Clarity

Cottman’s decision to continue investigating long-forgotten or minimally investigated cases is informed by both experience and ethics. Her former nomination for Police Officer of the Year speaks to her reputation within official circles, while her current work positions her as a respected voice in the private investigation sector.

Her firm is distinct in its commitment to transparency. Clients are regularly updated on progress, evidence is delivered in comprehensible formats, and findings are always verified before being presented.

“I’m not just collecting information. I’m building clarity for people who have lived too long in uncertainty,” she says.

Advocacy Without Headlines

Despite increasing public awareness of disparities in missing persons investigations, many of the families Cottman supports continue to navigate these issues privately. Her work doesn’t seek publicity for its own sake. Rather, it aims to re-establish balance—giving attention to cases that lacked adequate investigation from the start.

“Every person matters,” Cottman says. “Their stories should not end just because the system couldn’t—or wouldn’t—continue searching.”

While Cottman Investigation Services continues to operate independently, its impact is increasingly collaborative. Journalists, legal professionals, and other investigators frequently reach out to CIS for insights and partnership on complex cases.

Conclusion

Cottman Investigation Services was founded on the principles of integrity, discretion, and results. Its work continues to demonstrate that private investigators play a critical role when institutional efforts fall short. For families who have lost trust in the system or feel left behind, the firm offers not just a service, but a pathway toward truth.

To learn more about Cottman Investigation Services, visit CIS | Private Investigators Australia