Vic police to probe missing SA woman’s case after TV star Farah Mak criticises response

The investigation into the disappearance of an SA grandmother has been handed over to Victorian authorities – as her TV star niece says her family suspect foul play.

Victorian authorities are now investigating the disappearance of a South Australian woman after her TV personality niece criticised the way police had handled the case.

Farah Mak, who starred in many popular shows including Neighbours, Utopia and Love Child, is the niece of missing Renown Park woman Colleen South.

Ms South, 58, was last seen at her home driving off in a 2006 Hyundai Getz sedan about 3.30pm Friday, July 1.

Colleen South's abandoned 2006 Hyundai Gets sedan Picture: Supplied

Farah Mak is the niece of Colleen South, who has been missing for two weeks. Picture: Supplied

Ms South was seen on CCTV at Liquorland St Agnes just before noon the following day before driving to northern Victoria.

A witness said they spotted Ms South in the town of Ninyeunook between 3pm and 3.30pm on Sunday, July 3.

A farmer from Wycheproof, about 30km east, then noticed her car abandoned under a parked tree about 4pm on the same day.

Bags, footsteps, a campfire, and a note that said “help me” are among items which have lead missing woman Colleen South's family to believe foul play was involved in her disappearance. Pictures: supplied

The final entry of Ms South’s diary read “help me please”. Pictures: supplied

After noticing the car still parked under the tree two days later, the farmer investigated and found Ms South’s belongings nearby. He then called police.

The car had crashed into a ditch and sustained damage, with airbags deployed.

Ms South’s family believe foul play is involved after her bags were found neatly near her car with the words “Help me please” scribbled on the back of her journal.

“We are all on the same page as a family, that foul play is involved,” Ms Mak said on Saturday.

“We believe that she had that little car accident … and she got out the car and she sat down nearby where her bag was.”

What happened after that is unclear, Ms Mak said, but it is possible her aunty went away with someone or was taken.

Four days of police searches near the abandoned car did not locate any further evidence.

Veronica South still searching for her mum in regional Victoria two weeks after she went missing. Picture: Supplied

Farah Mak when she was young with her sister Ella and aunty Colleen South who is now missing. Picture: Supplied

Family located footprints and a recently lit campfire which they believe may be linked to Ms South’s movements.

Ms Mak said Victoria Police should be co-ordinating the investigation as her aunt was clearly missing in the state.

“I cannot believe the politics and red tape and the appalling response from Victoria Police,” she said.

“What we’re trying to get is action and outcome, so we need Victoria Police to take carriage of the case and … we need forensic investigators on this and treat it like a serious crime.”

Ms Mak said she would be lodging complaints to Victorian and South Australian police about their handling of Ms South’s disappearance.

But Victoria Police have now confirmed they have taken carriage of the case, with SA Police handing over the investigation on Sunday.

South Australia police said a “thorough investigation” had taken place, adding they will continue to support Victoria Police in their quest to find Ms South.

LISTED: EVERY MISSING PERSON IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Inspector Gerry de Vries said officers had deployed horses, the air wing, the dog squad and foot patrols in a bid to locate her.

“We’ve scoured that area,” he said.

“We haven’t been able to find any evidence other than what’s in the immediate vicinity of that car.

“She’s a very sociable person around other people, so it may well be that she’s made friends with somebody and she’s left that location and that’s the thing that is baffling because there’s nothing.”

The missing woman’s daughter, Veronica South, 21, has visited the Wycheproof area at least three times searching for her mother – and returned again on Friday.

She said police in both states had been hard to be in contact with.

“It feels like no one wants to take responsibility of the case at all,” Veronica, of Hilton, said.

“I just want my mum to come home, and she has a granddaughter who needs her as well.”

Anyone with information on Ms South’s whereabouts should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.