Sherrlynn Mitchell: Police release new image decades after teen from 70s went missing in Ballarat

Police have revealed a new image of a Ballarat teenager they hope will help solve a missing person case that is almost 50 years old.

Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit detectives have released a new image of Ballarat teenager Sherrlynn Mitchell, who went missing without trace in 1973.

Mitchell was last seen as a 16-year-old at her home on Eyre Street in Ballarat after she failed to meet a friend at a bus stop.

She did not return to her workplace at the Ballarat Woollen Mills and did not collect her wages or holiday pay.

Her friends and family have not seen or heard from her since.

Police have created this computer-generated image of what Mitchell could look like now.

In 2020, Ballarat detectives received samples of both Mitchell and her now deceased mother’s hair.

The samples were sent to the Victoria Police Forensics Unit and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine for examination, and a partial DNA sample was obtained.

Detectives followed up a number of possible DNA matches in Australia, however no matches were found.

Detective Acting Sergeant Andrew Barnes from the Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit said police had exhausted all known avenues of enquiry after Mitchell’s disappearance almost 50 years ago.

“While there is nothing at this time to indicate Sherrlynn’s disappearance was suspicious, police are keen to speak to anyone who has more information about her movements over the years or where she may be now,” Mr Barnes said.

“Sherrlynn, if you are out there – it is not a crime to disappear and police will not disclose your whereabouts to anyone if that is your wish – we just want to know that you are safe.”

Mitchell's mother died in 2016, leaving her two brothers as her only two remaining family members.

At the time of her disappearance, Mitchell was described as 165cm tall with a medium build, red hair, hazel eyes and a fair complexion.