Police search for missing mum Karen Ristevski
LATEST: POLICE are confident they will find out what happened to missing mother Karen Ristevski, as dozens of officers search rural properties northwest of Melbourne in a major development in the case.
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POLICE are confident they will find out what happened to missing mother Karen Ristevski, as officers search rural properties northwest of Melbourne in a major development in the case.
Dozens of police including Missing Persons Squad detectives, Search and Rescue members, Mounted Branch, Air Wing, uniform members and the Dog Squad are searching rural areas around Toolern Vale and Gisborne.
Ms Ristevski was last seen at her home address on Oakley Drive, Avondale Heights about 10am on Wednesday 29 June.
Detective Inspector Stephen Dennis, from the Missing Persons Squad, said inquiries had brought police to the area.
“We have performed quite an extensive search of this area,” he said.
“We are looking for anything that can assist us with our investigation.
“It is the most significant search we have conducted to date.
“We are very keen to search this area as thoroughly as we can.”
Insp Dennis refused to say whether Ms Ristevski’s handbag had yet been found.
“We are searching grassland, farmland, we are searching wooded areas and creeks,” he said.
“It is quite an extensive area of farmland, wooded country and there is some fairly undulating country out there.”
Insp Dennis said Victoria Police remain confident the case will be solved.
“We are confident we will find out what happened,” he said.
Insp Dennis said it was a tough time of year for Ms Ristevski’s family.
“I’m sure it is extremely tough for them, coming up to Christmas,” he said.
“Karen has been missing for coming up to six months.
“I’m sure it will be tough for friends of the family.
“There has been ongoing (police) contact with the family throughout the investigation.
“We are looking at all options at this stage. We are not ruling anything in or out.
“The investigation is ongoing. There has been ongoing discussions with various members of the family.
“Various members of the family have been cooperative.
“We are speaking to all the property owners here.
“I would encourage any property owner who has seen anything unusual to contact police.
“We’ll be here as long as it takes to search the area. It is going to be dependant on the terrain. It is quite an extensive area.”
SES volunteers are helping with the search, which is taking place between Black Hill Road and Gisborne Road.
“Investigators are appealing for anyone that resides in this area to consider checking their properties for any changes or any suspicious activity since the disappearance of Karen,” Victoria Police said.
In October the Herald Sun revealed that a key piece of evidence in the mystery disappearance was sent to the US by investigators.
Many hours of CCTV footage have also been viewed in the search for clues.
Her husband Borce Ristevski, 47, told police in June that they had argued over money before his wife left their $1.1 million Avondale Heights home to go for a walk to “clear her head”.
Ms Ristevski has not used her phone or bank accounts since she disappeared.
Mr Ristevski was questioned on July 8 and has denied any involvement in his wife’s disappearance.
Mr Ristevski’s son from a previous relationship, Anthony Rickard, has also been interviewed by police.
He has denied any part in the disappearance, saying that he believes a family conflict had led her to flee.
In 2012 the body of murdered Brunswick woman Jill Meagher was found in a shallow grave at Blackhill Rd, after her killer Adrian Bayley led police there.
More to come ...