Daughter of Colleen South pays tribute to her mother but still suspects foul play

Veronica South is still in shock after her mother’s body was found just 1.4km from where her car was found abandoned.

The grieving daughter of a woman found dead more than a month after she went missing has raised concerns her mother’s body was placed under a tree in regional Victoria by another person.

Speaking for the first time since Collen South’s body was found on Monday, August 8, Veronica South says she is struggling with her mother’s death.

“It’s just been a lot to process, and still a lot to take in, I’m still in shock,” Veronica, 21, told The Advertiser.

Victoria Police are yet to formally identify the female body found in a paddock at Bunguluke, Victoria, but believe it is that of Ms South, 58.

Veronica South and her two year old daughter Meia South holds a photo of her mother Colleen South. Picture: Mark Brake

Thousands of people across the country invested interest in what happened to Ms South through a Facebook group after she was last seen by a witness in the town of Ninyeunook, Victoria on Sunday, July 3.

A farmer checking crops at Bunguluke reported the body to police last week.

“She was found only 1.4km from her car, so It’s kind of frustrating, I’m disappointed from the search because after all that … I’m not sure how they missed it,” Veronica, of Hilton, said.

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

Multiple large scale searches were launched in the Wycheproof area and surrounds in the days and weeks after Ms South was last seen involving police and the State Emergency Service.

Veronica with members of her family and the local community also undertook multiple land searches without police assistance, sparking her suspicion her mother may have been met with foul play.

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

Colleen South with her daughter, Veronica. Picture: Supplied

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

“She was under one of the trees in an open paddock, it was pretty easy to see, when we went there we were in shock about how easy it was to see her,” Veronica said.

“We spoke to the police, we said ‘how did you miss that after all the extensive searches?’

“We’re starting to become more suspicious, and think that she might have been put there.”

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

Victoria Police declined to provide an updated comment, and said the body is yet to be formally identified.

“As police are preparing a report for the Coroner it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further,” the spokeswoman said.

“We’re starting to think maybe someone was with her the whole time,” Veronica said.

“We do believes someone knows something, we’re just trying to get to the bottom of this.”

The tragic end to a agonising five week search for her mother was surreal for Veronica.

“When I found out it was relief in the end that we did finally find her,” she said.

“The support from the community and through social media on Bring Colleen South Home has been amazing.”

Veronica has remembered her mother as a vibrant, free spirited woman who was her best friend.

Veronica South and her two year old daughter Meia South holds a photo of her mother Colleen South. Picture Mark Brake

“She was always happy and positive, she was very nurturing, but I could tell her anything and she was always there for me,” she said.

“She was very close to me growing up because I was an only child, we had a very close relationship, she was my best friend.”

Ms South loved dancing, red roses, the beach, and spending time with her granddaughter, Meia, 2, who is confused about her grandmother’s death.

“She (Meia) doesn’t really understand what’s been happening, she’s been saying grandma,” Veronica said.

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.

Veronica said despite her mother’s struggles with mental health, Ms South would always put others first.

“I’m hoping we get some answers but we want the Victorian Police to take mental health more seriously,” she said.

“It seems like they put her to the side because of her mental health issues which was disappointing.”