Missing Melbourne woman Karen Ristevski planned to leave husband, stepson says
MISSING Melbourne woman Karen Ristevski allegedly planned to leave her husband.
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MISSING Melbourne woman Karen Ristevski allegedly planned to leave her husband.
Stepson Anthony Rickard has told detectives investigating the suspicious disappearance that Mrs Ristevski intended to leave husband Borce once her daughter turned 21.
It comes as Mr Rickard spoke publicly for the first time about a disturbing conflict which had caused a rift in the family.
The 32-year-old told police on Friday: “I remember Karen often saying to me that once Sarah (her daughter) turned 21, she would be out of there, meaning she’d be leaving my dad”.
Sarah turned 21 earlier this year.
Mrs Ristevski, 47, was reported missing more than three weeks ago, with her husband telling police she had left their Avondale Heights house to calm down after a disagreement about their finances.
Searches of the Maribyrnong River and surrounding bush behind the family’s home, have failed to yield any clues.
Mrs Ristevski’s aunt Patricia has previously said that Mrs Ristevski would never have walked out on her family.
But Mr Rickard has claimed to police that Mrs Ristevski spoke numerous times about leaving.
He said his dad and stepmother had been having marriage problems.
Police have remained tight-lipped on the case and have not named a suspect in the disappearance.
Both Mr Ristevski and Mr Rickard have assisted police with their inquiries.
Mr Rickard has vehemently denied involvement, but has been unable to account for all of his whereabouts on June 29 — the day his stepmother disappeared — apart from a visit to a pharmacy in Diggers Rest.
Phone records could reveal his movements that day, and Mr Rickard has supplied details of his mobile phones — telling police he has had up to five phones in the past two months.
Victoria Police spokeswoman Amelia Penhall would say only that the police investigation was ongoing.