Colleen South: Body of SA grandma missing for more than a month found in Victoria

The family of a missing SA grandma, whose body was found after a five-week search, have many questions about the beloved woman’s disappearance.

While the agonising five-week search for a missing South Australian grandma has come to a tragic end, Colleen South’s family still has unanswered questions.

A body believed to be Ms South, 58, was located on Monday in a paddock in Bunguluke, Victoria more than a month after she was last seen.

Her body was found by a farmer checking their crops, about 5km from where her car was found abandoned in Wycheproof Victoria on July 3.

Colleen South from her younger years. Pictures: Facebook

A family friend revealed the grim discovery on Facebook group on Monday evening with nearly 2000 members of the community invested in Ms South’s case.

“I don’t know how to write this, we are heartbroken and in shock,” family friend Courtney Rose said.

Colleen South, right, with her daughter, Veronica. Picture: Supplied

“Colleen’s body has unfortunately been located in a paddock tonight, 5km from where her car was found.

“Fly high our beautiful angel, we are so broken without you.”

Ms South’s niece, Melbourne actor Farah Mak, told The Advertiser she was alerted to the body by police on Monday evening.

“I had missed calls from the police, missed calls from my mum, so I knew something was happening,” Ms Mak said.

She said her family was numb from hearing the news.

“It’s the worst outcome we could have imagined but there is an answer now, and it stops that continuous overwhelm of the unknown,” she said.

“Now we’re able to grieve.

Colleen South in happier times. Pictures: Facebook

“The beautiful side of it, the community has come together to support our family which has just been truly heartwarming.”

She remembered her aunty as a generous, kind and fun-loving woman.

“I’ve seen some videos of her dancing around, when she was out hiking she would be singing and dancing,” she said.

“There’s all those beautiful characteristics of her which have clearly touched the hearts of many people that didn’t even know her.”

Ms South loved the beach and red roses.

She is survived by her daughter, Veronica, 21, and her granddaughter, Meia, 2½.

Ms Mak said her family still has questions which would hopefully be answered with the help of police and the Coroner.

Supplied Editorial Pictures of Colleen South from her younger years. Pictures: Facebook

After so many air and found searches by police and the family, Ms Mak was confused about how her body was located so close to where Ms South’s car was abandoned.

“That area would’ve been searched so how did we miss it?” Ms Mak said.

“So I can only hope and guess police will do a further search now that they’ve found her to try and work out what her steps were, and how she got to that spot, and how long she was there, and whether there was a possibility of her being with someone else.”

Another woman said on Facebook it was with great sadness she announced her “best friend’s body” has been found.

“We are devastated and heartbroken as this is not what we were hoping for,” the woman said.

“Another beautiful soul taken way too soon.

“My darling friend. Your beautiful light and unconditional love will forever shine. Be at peace my friend until we meet again.”

Colleen South with granddaughter and a friend. Image: Facebook

Victoria Police on Tuesday morning confirmed a body has been found but it has not yet been formally been identified.

“An autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death,” the spokesman said.

“Victoria Police notified Colleen’s family that a body had even discovered in Bunguluke, however it is yet to be formally identified.”

Victoria Police took over the case in mid July, after family raised concerns about SA authorities not being close enough to where Ms South was last sighted.

Colleen South, 58, was captured on CCTV at Sunraysia Petroleum at Berriwillock on Sunday July 3 at about 12pm, on the Calder Highway. Picture: Facebook

In late July, Ms South’s family started a fundraiser to raise money to hire a private investigator to look into her disappearance.

Ms South’s abandoned car had crash damage, and the airbags were deployed.

Her bag was found neatly outside her car, with a notebook with a message reading “help me please”.

This week, a new CCTV image was discovered of Ms South on the day she was last seen, filling up petrol at a petrol station on the Calder Highway in Victoria.

The money from the fundraiser will now be donated to Ms South’s daughter Veronica while she grieves. Donate here.