Berowra residents meet in support of missing woman Qi Yu

Hundreds have turned out to a gathering of support at Berowra Oval this evening as police continue the search for missing woman Qi Yu.

HUNDREDS have turned out for a community organised service to show support for the family and friends of missing woman Qi Yu.

The gathering comes as police continue their search for the missing woman in bushland across Berowra this week.

Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the disappearance of Qi Yu, 28, from Sydney's southwest on June 8, 2018.

A woman lays a candle at a gathering to support the family of Qi Yu in Berowra. Picture: Jake McCallum

Ms Yu, 28, who was living in Campsie, last spoke to her family in China on the night of Friday, June 8 and has not been heard from since.

Police believe she was taken in her white Toyota Corolla hatchback to the Berowra area on the night she went missing. The car was later found dumped in Burwood.

Event organisers said the community gathering was in response to the police search across the Hornsby Shire, which was described as distressing for the wider community to witness.

A woman stops to reflect at a gathering to support the family of Qi Yu in Berowra. Picture: Jake McCallum

Members of the community lay candles at a gathering to support the family of Qi Yu in Berowra. Picture: Jake McCallum

“Most people have seen police and SES vehicles as well as RFS, dogs, horses, divers and helicopters scouring bushland in search of Qi,” one event organiser, who did not wish to be named, told the Advocate.

“This community vigil is a gesture of support for Qi Yu’s family and a respectful way to acknowledge the many people and organisations who are searching for her.

An RFS volunteer stops to pay his respects at a gathering to support the family of Qi Yu in Berowra. Picture: Jake McCallum

A man prays before a makshift shrine at a gathering to support the family of Qi Yu in Berowra. Picture: Jake McCallum

“As a community we will come together in a ceremonial way to deal with the grief we feel for Qi’s family and to stand united in sending out a strong message to stop violence against women.”

Hornsby councillor Nathan Tilbury, who conducted a speech during the gathering, explained why so many had turned out.

Hundreds turned out at a gathering to support the family of Qi Yu in Berowra. Picture: Jake McCallum

Councillor Nathan Tilbury speaks at the opening of the gathering. Picture: Jake McCallum

“We all live in Berowra because it is a tranquil place surrounded by bushland,” Cr Tilbury said.

“If someone has used our beautiful bushland to hide a gruesome murder, then we need to come out together, as a community, against that.

“This has hit home for some many families, young and old, and it is incredible to see so many turn out tonight.”