Lorrin Whitehead disappearance: Inside new search for missing Bannockburn mum

Fresh bushland has been searched for the body of a missing Geelong mum more than 11 years after she disappeared, it can be revealed, as new leads come to light in the baffling cold case.

Fresh bushland has been searched for the body of a missing Geelong mum more than 11 years after she disappeared, it can be revealed, as new leads come to light in the baffling cold case.

It’s understood Bacchus Marsh detectives acting on new information into the likely death of Bannockburn woman Lorrin Whitehead recently identified and scoured new areas of interest as part of a re-examination of the mystery, with possible foul play scenarios still very much on the table.

It comes as her five children prepare for an emotional farewell memorial this weekend – the first since she inexplicably vanished without a trace from a supermarket on February 8, 2013.

“We have never been able to bury her or have a funeral,” her eldest daughter, Amelia Grozdanovski, said.

Amelia Grozdanovski with her mum, Lorrin Whitehead, before she went missing.

A special investigation team, lead by the Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit, has been throwing extensive resources at the case ahead of an anticipated coronial inquest next year.

More than 70 statements have been scrutinised and witnesses reinterviewed in an effort to fill in any gaps from the original probe and establish a fresh timeline of events.

Detective Sergeant Steven Murphy said officers remained as committed as ever to finding answers.

“In recent months, detectives have conducted numerous interviews within the community and are examining all potential leads relating to her disappearance,” he said.

“This includes new and old information that has been provided to detectives, including several lines of inquiry that remain active.

“The investigation is very much active.”

It’s understood a red four-wheel-drive Ms Whitehead was allegedly seen hopping into on the day she disappeared is linked to one person of interest in the case, with police keeping an open mind into what happened to her.

Officers released new information about the vehicle in September in the hope of identifying its owner.

“Obviously this fresh look is giving us a lot of hope,” Ms Grozdanovski said.

“We are 11 years in and we have never had any real solid leads until hopefully now.

“It only takes one piece of information to put the whole jigsaw puzzle together, and we are just hoping for that missing piece.”

A police artist impression of what Lorrin Whitehead may look like today if she was still alive, provided by the Australian Federal Police.

Many theories have emerged in the decade since her vanishing, with the two most probable involving foul play or self-harm.

The latter seems unlikely to Ms Grozdanovski, whose mum had overcome a five-year battle with cancer, was studying and planning to travel, and was in good spirits the last time they spoke.

They had arranged to catch up for coffee on the Geelong waterfront before she was reported missing.

“Mum was using dating apps, she was actively dating and socialising with different groups,” she said.

“There was a lot going on with her divorce.

“There have been lots of theories.”

Ms Whitehead finished work in Geelong at about 3pm on February 8, 2013.

She travelled the short 20 minute drive to Bannockburn and withdrew cash from an ATM, with a neighbour telling police she was spotted leaving her gated property about 4.30pm.

At 4.42pm, security footage showed her purchasing a bottle of water, a Hallmark card and a pen from Safeway.

Lorrin Whitehead is seen purchasing items from a Bannockburn supermarket before she vanished.

Her bank account has remained untouched ever since.

Five days later, a card arrived in the mailbox of her ex-husband, who is the father of four of her children.

Small handwriting on the envelope was addressed to the “Kaiser kids” with a printed message inside a blank card reading “don’t cry it’s over, smile because it happened”.

Detectives say DNA on the stamp and envelope seal were attributable to Ms Whitehead, sparking a belief at the time she may have taken her own life.

However, the handwriting on the letter has never been matched.

Ms Grozdanovski is now pleading with anyone who spoke to her mum in the two years prior to her disappearance to “stop and think about their conversations”.

“Did you have any interactions with her that seemed off? Any strange discussion points or just anything that doesn’t really add up, we want them to come forward,” she said.

“It might not mean a lot to them, but as far as timelines go, it could pinpoint things that we’ve never known.

“We are optimistic maybe this is the year we stumble across that one small piece of evidence that clicks it all into place.”

Amelia Grozdanovski at her home in NSW. She was 18 when her mum disappeared in 2013. Photo Peter Stoop/News

Detective Sergeant Murphy said officers had been buoyed by new information coming to light this year, offered predominantly through Crime Stoppers, and encouraged more witnesses to speak in person with police.

“If you remember seeing or hearing something, no matter how small it may seem, we urge you to come forward,” he said.

Meanwhile Ms Whitehead’s five children have travelled to Jervis Bay to honour her as a family for the first time since she vanished.

“Like all families with someone missing we have just been left in limbo, so we wanted to take some time before any coronial inquest, or before things maybe picked up a bit,” Ms Grozdanovski said.

“We have never done anything to remember and celebrate mum together.”

The pain of her absence is ever present, with tasks like lodging tax returns a constant reminder of what they have lost.

“We still have to look after mum’s affairs and assets, even though she is gone,” she said.

“You just never get used to it.”

Anyone with information on Lorrin’s disappearance can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit the website www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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Originally published as Lorrin Whitehead disappearance: Inside new search for missing Bannockburn mum