Ruth Ridley missing: Police believe mystery couple could have answers
Police are still baffled with the disappearance of Port Macquarie grandmother Ruth Ridley who went missing while camping with her estranged husband but hope a mystery couple may give them some answers.
NSW
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Police are searching for an elderly couple who may be able to help them with the bizarre disappearance of a Port Macquarie grandmother who went missing while camping with her estranged husband.
Ruth Ridley, 58, was reported missing last month by her son after the couple, who had split up with four weeks earlier, did not contact him for several days.
Detectives are working on the theory that former police officer Gary Ridley, 61, killed her before taking his own life while on a camping trip at Neil's Bend, near the Murray River reserve.
Both had taken out AVOs against each other in the weeks leading up to her disappearance.
Police now want to speak to a couple, believed to be in their late 50s or early 60s, who live in Tumbarumba and possibly drive a 100 series Toyota LandCruiser — or similar vehicle.
They believe the couple planned to camp at Neils Bend for the week and may have been in the area on the 26th or 27th of October when Mrs Ridley was expected to be camping there with her husband.
The mystery couple had a dual axle caravan with distinctive yellow s-core pigtail gas lines on twin gas bottles mounted on the caravan A-frame.
NSW Police established Strike Force Alysse to investigate Mrs Ridley's disappearance October.
“It’s looking like Gary took his own life in his own car, we’re still awaiting results of toxicology reports to confirm exactly how he died,” Acting Detective Inspector Fletcher said.
“It’s very sad and upsetting for the family, the children have been coming to terms with what has happened to both their parents, it’s very tragic.”
Mr Ridley was found dead on the morning of Wednesday, October 30, in his wife’s blue Mitsubishi Pajero, abandoned on a dirt track on Shelley Rd at Walwa, Victoria — just across the NSW-Victorian border.
A motorist driving past saw him slumped over the steering wheel and raised the alarm.
Police have been unable to electronically track Mrs Ridley’s movements due to the scarcity of mobile phone towers around the barren landscape.
They are continuing to interview family and friends as they try to establish the nature of the couple’s relationship in the weeks leading up to the camping trip to work through their marital problems.
Mrs Ridley is described as 58 years of age, caucasian, about 175cm tall with a medium build, fair complexion and blonde hair.
Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers.