Police have launched an appeal for information into the 1983 cold case murder of Gold Coast woman Linda Reed following the arrest of 51-year-old Troy James O'Meara on Wednesday.

Police charged Mr O'Meara with the 35-year-old crime, alleging he murdered Ms Reed when he was just 17-years-old.

A map of the area in which Linda Reed's body was found in 1983, and the same area today. Credit:Queensland police

Ms Reed's body was found on December 16, 1983, in a patch of bushland three days after the 21-year-old went missing after going on her lunch break at her Pacific Fair workplace.

Speaking at the time of the arrest, Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Knight said Ms Reed's death was random and the years of uncertainty had a devastating toll on her husband, parents and brother.