Major Crime detectives use police divers in latest search for Tanja Ebert at Manna Hill

MAJOR Crime detectives relaunch the search for missing mother Tanja Ebert — using police divers to explore 18 dams on the remote sheep station where her husband fatally shot himself in August.

• For help with depression, suicidal thoughts or personal problems, call Lifeline on 13 11 15 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636

• Tanja Ebert’s family make an emotional statement
• The disappearance: Tanja’s smile hid secret pain of unhappiness
• Husband kills himself as police investigate wife’s presumed murder
• The backpacker, the grazier and a tragic mystery

MAJOR Crime detectives have relaunched the search for missing mother Tanja Ebert — using police divers to explore 18 dams on the remote sheep station where her husband fatally shot himself in August.

Investigators returned to the couple’s sprawling property near Manna Hill, about 360km north of Adelaide, last Tuesday with the firm belief that Ms Ebert’s remains are hidden somewhere at Oulnina Park Station.

Detectives suspect Ms Ebert, 23, was murdered by her husband, Michael Burdon, 41, after a family trip to Adelaide on August 8.

Mr Burdon then fatally shot himself as police scoured the 410sq km property on August 16.

A police diver searches for missing mother Tanja Ebert at Manna Hill last week. Picture: SAPOL

In the third major search since Ms Ebert’s disappearance, divers from the STAR Group’s water operation unit searched 18 dams and water storage areas over three days but found no sign of the German mother.

Detectives returned to Adelaide last Friday and will review their latest results as they plot their next moves in the investigation.

They have not ruled out further searches at the property.

Ms Ebert’s disappearance was first reported by a relative on August 10. Mr Burdon told investigators he last saw his wife about 7pm on August 8 when she abandoned him and the couple’s young sons after an argument near Roseworthy.

He said she left the car without her phone and passport but had $2000 cash.

The couple had spent the day in Adelaide visiting the SA Museum with their children.

Police say the last confirmed sighting of Ms Ebert was at the Central Markets on Gouger St about 4.45pm.

One of the 18 dams and water storage areas searched by SA Police. Picture: SAPOL

Six days after Ms Ebert was reported missing, her husband fatally shot himself at Oulnina Park Station.

Mr Burdon, who was not under arrest at the time, excused himself from police after being told the couple’s property would be searched.

The Advertiser understands he ran into a nearby gully with a shotgun.

The latest development in the cold case comes four weeks after Mr Burdon’s mother, Marlis, claimed Ms Ebert “turned against” her husband in the months leading up to her disappearance.

She believes Ms Ebert is still alive and says her daughter-in-law had made it known she wanted to leave her family.

Major Crime detectives also seized CCTV footage from a shop at Riverton, which may have caught the family’s car travelling through the town.

The footage captures a vehicle similar to the family’s gold 2010 Toyota Landcruiser Sahara driving past the Riverton Deli at 7.36pm on August 8.

Police had hoped to find Ms Ebert’s body during their initial search of the property on August 16. That search, which involved the excavation of potential burial sites close to the homestead, was called off on August 19.

They returned for three days on August 30 to search wells and abandoned mine shafts but found no evidence.

Major Crime detectives have not given up hope that they will recover Ms Ebert and say that they will continue to try to identify the movements of Mr Burdon and his wife after her disappearance.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

For counselling or support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or beyondblue on 1300 22 4636.