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Ristevski family mechanic says he gave police incorrect statement on fuel gauge

IN a fresh twist in the Karen Ristevski mystery, it has emerged the family’s mechanic accidentally gave police an incorrect statement regarding a faulty fuel gauge in the murdered woman’s Mercedes.

Karen Ristevski with her husband Borce Ristevski and daughter Sarah. Picture: Supplied
Karen Ristevski with her husband Borce Ristevski and daughter Sarah. Picture: Supplied

IN a fresh twist in the Karen Ristevski mystery, it has emerged the family’s mechanic accidentally gave police an incorrect statement regarding a faulty fuel gauge in the murdered woman’s Mercedes.

Kemal Yusuf, who runs the Mercedes-Benz Service Station in Milleara Rd, Keilor East, told police in the past week that husband Borce Ristevski had never mentioned a problem with a faulty fuel gauge when he brought the car in.

But after a phone call from Mr Ristevski on Wednesday, Mr Yusuf said he had been mistaken about this.

The matter is an important aspect of the investigation as Mr Ristevski has told police that on the day his wife vanished, he took the car for a drive to test a faulty fuel gauge, returning home when the fault corrected itself.

MORE: KAREN’S LUXURY MERCEDES SEEN IN AVONDALE HEIGHTS STREET

Karen Ristevski with her husband Borce Ristevski and daughter Sarah. Picture: Supplied
Karen Ristevski with her husband Borce Ristevski and daughter Sarah. Picture: Supplied

Mrs Ristevski vanished on June 29 last year. Her body was found in bush at Mt Macedon on February 20 this year.

Mr Yusuf said on Wednesday: “Borce rang me today. I thought it was about three years (ago when I last serviced the Mercedes) but he said it was two years ago,” he said.

“He mentioned the fuel gauge to me (today), but I didn’t do the job (originally) so I didn’t remember it.”

READ MORE: VILE RUMOURS LEAVE KAREN RISTEVSKI’S FAMILY SHATTERED

Police conduct tests on a Mercedes, similar to Karen Ristevski’s at Mt Macedon. Picture: David Hurley
Police conduct tests on a Mercedes, similar to Karen Ristevski’s at Mt Macedon. Picture: David Hurley
Karen Ristevski CCTV footage stills. Source: Victoria Police
Karen Ristevski CCTV footage stills. Source: Victoria Police

Mr Yusuf said following Wednesday’s phone call from Mr Ristevski he remembered that Mr Ristevski had in fact mentioned the fuel gauge during the car’s last service.

He said he had advised Mr Ristevski to go to an automotive electrician.

He said he had neglected to tell police that.

“I didn’t do the (electrical) job — that’s why I don’t remember it,” he said.

“But when he mentioned it this morning (Wednesday), I remembered.

“I didn’t even look at it,” Mr Yusuf said. “I didn’t fix it.”

andrew.jefferson@news.com.au

@andyjeffo

Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/ristevski-family-mechanic-says-he-gave-police-incorrect-statement-on-fuel-gauge/news-story/aea4ecfc11c8dccd8df6b43967f4094c