Family thank searchers after sad end for missing grandma

The search for a missing grandmother has come to a tragic end, but mystery surrounds the discovery of her body near a burnt-out car.

The search for missing Timboon woman Rosie McLean has come to a sad end.

Police said a body found in Wickliffe on Monday is believed to be that of the grandmother.

Emergency services were called to a Chatsworth-Wickliffe Rd property, near Karmala Lane, after a resident discovered the body beside a burnt-out vehicle about 3pm.

“While the body is yet to be formally identified, police believe it to be that of missing Timboon woman, Rosie,” a police spokeswoman said.

“Rosie’s Maltese Shih tzu was found safe and well nearby.

“The exact circumstances regarding the death are yet to be determined and the investigation remains ongoing.”

Police are yet to confirm if the burnt-out vehicle was Ms McLean’s 2010 grey Holden Commodore sedan.

Timboon woman Rosie McLean was last seen on June 10.

Ms McLean's dog, Bindi, stayed with her.

Ms McLean’s daughter Susan posted online on Monday night about the discovery of her mother’s body.

“Mum has been found on Monday afternoon, unfortunately not in time,” Susie McLean said.

“Bindi (her dog) stayed with mum until they were found and we take some comfort in that knowledge.

“Bindi will be reunited with our family in the morning.

“Our family would like to thank the community for the help and support we have received during this time.

“We are truly grateful that you all cared for our mum and Bindi.”

The missing woman’s last mobile phone ping was located near Dunkeld, in western Victoria.

The family had been “baffled” by the unusual disappearance of Ms McLean, 84, who was last seen on June 10.

Her worried family put in a massive search effort, and even hired a plane in an attempt to find her.

Ms McLean had last been seen at her local hairdresser on the day she went missing.

Detectives tracked her last recorded mobile phone ping to Dunkeld at 4pm that day, about 140km from her home.

The air wing earlier scoured the Southern Grampians, Moyne, Warrnambool and Corangamite areas and local police have conducted searches at ground level.

Ms McLean’s extended family also launched a Facebook page to share details about searches and hired private planes to scour the area.

They even enlisted a psychic in their last-ditch ­effort to find her.

“We just want an answer,” Mr Kanungo said.