Britt Lapthorne in an undated photo posted on Facebook. Source: Supplied
CROATIAN police finally concede it was unlikely Britt Lapthorne went swimming before her death or took her own life, her family says.
Five years to the day since Ms Lapthorne disappeared in Dubrovnik, her father Dale says key concessions were made in the unsolved case.
However, he said Croatian police still suspect "misadventure", while the family believes Ms Lapthorne was murdered and her body weighed down.
"We do believe there are people who know what happened," Mr Lapthorne said.
It was a tragedy keenly felt by anyone who had a family member far from home.
During a European adventure, Ms Lapthorne, 21, had joined other backpackers from her hostel at the Fuego nightclub in Dubrovnik's old quarter.
Inside the Fuego Latino Club in Dubrovnik, Croatia, where Britt Lapthorne had been with other backpackers. Picture: Britta CampionSource: News Limited
Her companions lost sight of her around 3am on 18 September 2008 and she never returned to her hostel, 3km away.
Eighteen days later her badly decomposed body was found floating in nearby Boninovo Bay.
Unable to bring himself to return to Dubrovnik for this year's anniversary, Mr Lapthorne also could not bear being far from where his daughter died.
So he will wait out the day in the UK while his wife Elke is in Melbourne, missing their daughter and thinking of her as always.
The hostel where Britt Lapthorne was staying before she was last seen in the Croatian capital of Dubrovnik on September 17, 2008. Source: Supplied
"I feel I have to stay somewhere in the region until after the 18th for whatever reason," Mr Lapthorne said.
He also revealed:
* An Australian Federal Police review had led to concessions from Croatian authorities.
* The case was an ongoing criminal investigation in the last update but the family no longer heard from the foreign affairs department.
* Missing security camera footage still plagued the family.
* His conviction someone would one day come forward to "clear their conscience''.
Britt's parents Dale and Elke Lapthorne outside the Fuego Latino Club in Dubrovnik a year after her disappearance. Picture: Britta Campion Source: News Limited
Two AFP agents went to Dubrovnik to conduct a joint review of the case with Croatian authorities in 2010.
The results of the review were not made public but Mr Lapthorne said there had been positive results.
Croatian police acknowledged as a result of AFP involvement it was unlikely Britt took her own life or entered the sea of her own accord, he said.
The family always strongly disputed suggestions from Croatian police that Ms Lapthorne must have gone swimming or could have committed suicide.
Boninovo Bay where Britt Lapthorne’s remains were found. Picture: Britta Campion Source: News Limited
There had since been a reversal in the way such cases were handled, he said.
While his daughter's death was followed by a complete lack of action in the first week, alerts were now acted on immediately.
No one has yet been able to confirm when Ms Lapthorne left the club or where she may have gone.
One of the last backpackers to see her alive described at the time how she appeared "intoxicated" in the early hours of the morning.
Britt Lapthorne (third from right) with her friend Krys Noseworthy (left of Britt) and others in an undated photo. Source: News Limited
Security cameras at the club were not operating on the night, police were told.
A CCTV camera on the street outside was also said to not be working but the family says footage was available from 6am that day.
Her belongings including her camera and wallet have never been found.
After a Victorian autopsy, the Lapthornes were told her body was likely in the water the whole time and had signs of extended contact with the sea floor.
The body should have surfaced within three days.
"One day someone will need to clear their conscience,'' Mr Lapthorne said.
