Host family of Vietnamese exchange student desperately searching for teen as police reveal four students missing in a month

SAPOL has revealed four international students have been reported missing in the past month, with one host family desperately searching for 17-year-old Sunnie Nguyen.

Agnes Gichuhi

2 min read

January 13, 2024 - 8:36AM

Sunnie Nguyen has been missing since Monday, she is one of four international students reported missing in the past month in Adelaide.

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Mystery surrounds the bizarre disappearance of at least four Vietnamese exchange students in the past month, with one teen vanishing without trace 30 days ago.

In a statement, a SAPOL spokesman said four international teenagers had been reported missing between December and January.

“All lines of inquiries in the investigations indicate that some of these youths may have travelled interstate and still remain there,” the spokesman said.

Sunnie Nguyen hasn’t been seen since Monday. Picture: 7NEWS

Missing Vietnamese exchange student Sunnie Nguyen. Picture: 7NEWS

The Advertiser understands the students did not all attend the same school, and not were placed at public schools.

One host family is desperately pleading for the safe return of Sunnie Nguyenh, 17, who hasn’t been seen since Monday.

She travelled to Adelaide from Vietnam as an exchange student and was staying with a family in South Plympton.

The 17-year-old’s host family last saw her on Monday night and have not been able to contact her via phone or social media.

According to host mother May Zervaas and host sister Maria Zervaas, Sunnie’s phone has been disconnected and “everything was wiped” from her social media accounts.

“I hope that if she can listen (to) this, she can tell me that ‘Mum I’m OK don’t worry,” a distressed May told 7NEWS.

“I’m just worried for her because her English is not that good.”

May Zervaas is the host mother to Vietnamese student Sunnie Nguyen, 17, who is missing. Picture: 7NEWS

Hamilton Secondary College in Mitchell Park.

Maria said Sunnie’s social media posts were “gone, highlights gone; (she) hadn’t posted in about three days”.

Sunnie reportedly attended Hamilton Secondary College in Mitchell Park.

An Education Department spokeswoman said it had been “made aware of a small number of students that left their homestays without permission”.

“In each case, the department has contacted their families and the police immediately,” she said.

“The police are investigating their whereabouts.

“This is concerning for all involved and we would ask the students to make contact with the police to ensure their wellbeing.”

A police spokesman said: “There is nothing currently identified in any investigation that would indicate these youths are in immediate danger.

“SA Police are working with interstate policing counterparts to help locate these youths.” The concerned Zervaas family said they were hoping for a positive outcome.

Missing Vietnam exchange student Sunnie Nguyen (17). Picture 7 NEWS

Lien Nguyen-Navas from the Vietnamese Women’s Association said she hoped they were just somewhere enjoying school holidays.

“Kids, 17-year-olds want to get together to go somewhere and not telling anyone,” Ms Nguyen-Navas said.

“I hope that is the case.”

Sunnie’s visa was set to expire in three years and her host family told SA Police she appeared to be “happy” with her life in Adelaide and had no reason to run away.