Police say missing Queensland woman may have travelled to nearby towns

A missing Queensland woman last seen at Streaky Bay on Sunday could have travelled to a neighbouring town, police say, after a fourth day of searching.

Police say they cannot rule out that a missing Queensland woman may have travelled to nearby towns after search efforts concluded for a fourth day.

An SA Police statement said the search was now scaling back in the Streaky Bay area where the 48-year-old, identified only as Julie, was last seen.

“Search efforts thus far have not located Julie and after consultation with the family, the resources dedicated to the search around Streaky Bay has been reduced but will continue over the following days using local Police and volunteers. Police will continue to investigate the matter as an ongoing missing person case,” police said on Thursday.

“Police cannot rule out that Julie may have received a ride to nearby towns and ask anyone in communities across the Eyre Peninsula who may have seen anyone matching the description or who has CCTV or dashcam footage to contact the police assistance line.”

Missing Queensland woman Julie was last seen on Sunday, May 8, in Streaky Bay, Picture: SA Police

It comes after Julie’s distressed brother made a nerve-racking trip to Streaky Bay on Wednesday in the hope of finding his sister, who has been missing since Sunday.

Julie’s brother Todd said she was on a holiday with her husband Cliff, and had first travelled to Darwin before arriving on the Eyre Peninsula.

“They went to Ayers Rock, then travelled down here, and they were going to see a lot of the country side,” Todd told 7 News.

These are the final moments before Queensland mother Julie Schutt vanished while visiting Streaky Bay. After four days, police are scaling back their search and say she could have been given a lift to nearby towns. Details in 7NEWS Adelaide at 6pm | https://t.co/gqxMcFuLaq#7NEWSpic.twitter.com/XTG5gz29Ao

— 7NEWS Adelaide (@7NewsAdelaide) May 11, 2023

As the search entered its fourth day, fears continued to grow, with police finding no strong leads as to her whereabouts.

“When it’s the early days, you’ve got a bit of hope that she’ll come back or she’ll be found very quickly,” Todd said.

“Please come back, we need you.”

The brother of missing Queensland woman Julie has made a nerve-racking trip to Streaky Bay in hopes of finding his sister. Picture: 7 NEWS

Missing Queensland woman Julie and her husband Cliff on their recent travels throughout Australia. Picture: Supplied by family

Area Superintendent Paul Bahr said police had received no new reports of any local sightings, and had great concerns for her welfare because she was not familiar with the area.

She did not have personal belongings with her, apart from what she was last seen wearing.

“As time goes on, concerns for her wellbeing are increasing,” Supt Bahr said.

“We’ve received no reports from anyone that has sighted her or been able to identify her, from the Streaky Bay area.”

He declined to provide further personal details about Julie, but said her disappearance was “out of character,” while police had not found any signs of foul play.

SAPOL's Mounted Operations Unit is in Streaky Bay to assist in the search. Picture: SA Police

Mr Bahr said police had conducted a “significant search of the area within the Streaky Bay township,” and the surrounding area.

“We’ve had a police helicopter deployed for the past three days. We’ve had police mounted officers in the past two days and they’re continuing today.”

The SES was searching the waters off Streaky Bay in a boat and other SES volunteers were conducting a ground search, he said.

Missing Queensland woman Julie was last seen on Sunday, May 8, in Streaky Bay. Picture: SA Police

Superintendent Paul Bahr, Officer in Charge of the Eyre and Western Local Service Area. Picture: 7 NEWS

Police initially received a report from a member of the public, who believed they had spotted woman matching Julie’s appearance hitchhiking near the corner of Jessie Flat Rd and Jubilee Rd between 8.30am and 10.30am on Monday.

“We had a member of the public who sighted a hitchhiker on a road near Streaky Bay and we’re still exploring that piece of information,” Mr Bahr said.

He said police had now discounted that report.

Julie is described as 170cm tall, with dark shoulder-length hair, and was last seen wearing jeans and a blue striped top with a star in the middle and light coloured boots.

Police are urging anyone who has seen Julie or with any information on her whereabouts to contact the Police Assistance Line immediately on 131 444.