Tanja Ebert death: Missing woman’s family make emotional statement on day of husband Michael Burdon’s funeral
THE heartbroken family of likely murder victim Tanja Ebert say they also grieve for her husband and suspected killer Michael Burdon, and their priority is now caring for the couple’s orphaned children.
For help with depression, suicidal thoughts or personal problems, call Lifeline on 13 11 15 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636
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THE family of likely murder victim Tanja Ebert have made a public statement saying they still hope to find her alive and well, and that they grieve for her “wonderful” husband — suspected killer Michael Burdon.
Her parents arrived in Adelaide from Germany and fronted the media from Police Headquarters in the city this morning.
“It’s very hard not knowing what happened to Tanja,” Detective Brevet Sergeant Anthony van der Stelt said, reading a statement from the family first in German and then in English.
“We do not feel hopeless. It’s our hope to find Tanja alive and well. We also grieve for Michael Burdon.
“We knew Michael as a wonderful father, a good friend and a sociable person.
“We worry about Tanja’s and Michael’s two young sons, who are true victims of this tragedy.
“Their wellbeing is our utmost priority. With Michael’s family we share these views.”
Earlier, the Burdon family said the couple’s two young sons are now their primary focus.
Mr Burdon’s funeral was held on Friday morning while the search continues for his missing wife at the couple’s Manna Hill property, 360km north of Adelaide on the Barrier Highway.
Mr Burdon, 41, fatally shot himself as police scoured Oulnina Park Station on August 16 following the disappearance of Ms Ebert, a German citizen.
Police think it most likely that Ms Ebert, 23, was murdered by her husband.
“Michael’s sudden and shocking death has devastated our family,” the Burdon family said in a statement on Friday.
“We loved Michael very much, and our primary focus is now the care and support of his two young boys.
“We are still trying to come to terms with the tragic events of the past three weeks.”
A second major search for Ms Ebert was launched on Wednesday after she was reported missing earlier this month.
Major Crime detectives cleared almost 20 wells and abandoned mine shafts at Oulnina Park Station on Thursday but there is still no sign of the mother-of-two.
On Friday, “upbeat” detectives and search specialists will continue the search at the remote sheep station about 22km southeast of Manna Hill.
At the time of Mr Burdon’s death Major Crime detectives were present on the property seeking information about Ms Ebert’s unusual disappearance.
Detective Superintendent Des Bray, officer in charge of the Major Crime Investigation Branch, said officers were still determined to bring closure to Ms Ebert’s family.
“We’ve continued to search out here and the emphasis for Wednesday and Thursday has been clearing a large number of old mines and wells,” he said.
“We know 100 per cent she’s not in those mines.
“Everybody wants to find Tanja and everybody wants to know exactly what happened and I believe everybody is doing their best to help us.”
While two teams investigated various shafts spread across the property, other detectives used motorbikes to navigate rocky terrain and identified new areas of interest.
Police drones also captured new vision of cliff faces which will be analysed in Adelaide next week.
Mounted police will arrive at the property on Friday ready to conduct further extensive searches which will radiate out from the homestead for several kilometres.
Police expect to leave the sheep station on Friday afternoon.
For help with depression, suicidal thoughts or personal problems, call Lifeline on 13 11 15 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636