Gossip about murdered mum Karen Ristevski adds to pain of her grieving family

GRIEVING relatives of murdered mum Karen Ristevski have hit out at ‘grubby gossip’, saying the rumours deeply hurt their family.

THE aunt of Karen Ristevski has said the murdered mother’s family want closure and have full confidence in the police investigation into her death.

As detectives close in on the 47-year-old’s killer, the Herald Sun can reveal those closest to Ms Ristevski are upset at accusations her stepson Anthony Rickard has made since she vanished.

Family friends of Ms Ristevski said the murdered mum appeared to be happily married and was dedicated to her daughter Sarah and her work in the weeks leading up to her disappearance.

Marguerite, Karen’s aunt, said Ms Ristevski is not here to stand up for herself.

“It is about respect for Karen,” she told the Herald Sun.

“I would like Karen to be remembered for the person she was.

“I do think Anthony is not in a good state of mind.

“He is not doing anything out of any desire to help Karen’s memory. He is turning a tragic story into grubby gossip.”

Ms Ristevski’s loved ones have opposed “vile rumours” about the mother of one which have been published on social media in the past week.

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HUBBY KEY SUSPECT IN KAREN’S DEATH

Karen Ristevski with her husband Borce Ristevski and daughter Sarah.

Karen’s husband Borce and daughter Sarah at Avondale Heights Police Station in the days after she went missing. Picture: Sarah Matray Police conduct tests on Mercedes at Mt Macedon

‘It will not become a cold case’

The posts have caused deep upset among Ms Ristevski’s relatives.

“We just want closure and we want answers,” Marguerite said.

“What happened?

“I can’t thank the police enough for what they have been doing.

“There will come a day when we get a phone call from the police to say they are at the next level.

“That’s what is giving us a lot strength at the moment, knowing that will happen.

The stepson of missing person Karen Ristevski, Anthony Rickard. Picture: Alex Coppel

Members of Karen Ristevski's family arrive at Canning Reserve in Avondale Heights, during the hunt for the missing mum. Picture: Eugene Hyland

“They are not going to let it go.

“It will not become a cold case.

“That’s what keeps us going. It must be hard for them (the police). They are human beings and they have feelings. They just want to solve the case.

“Hopefully it will not be too much longer.”

Family staying strong for Karen

Marguerite said the family were banding together to stay strong.

“It’s hard for the family in New Zealand and England,” she said.

“It’s the same for us. There is always a lot of phone calls to keep up to date and be supportive and make sure no one is struggling too hard on certain days. That’s all we can do as a family to try and make sure everyone is OK.

WHAT REALLY HAPPENED TO KAREN?

Karen Ristevski at her shop, Bella Bleu, at Watergardens Shopping Centre in Taylors Lakes. Picture Kylie Else

“That’s what we have always done as a family. We have always stuck together.”

Family friends have hit out at posts which have appeared on social media about the case in recent weeks.

“The worst thing about these ridiculous rumours is Karen not being here to defend herself,” one family friend said.

“People are trying to make money off a beautiful person who isn’t here to put the story straight.

“Karen would be horrified. It’s embarrassing to think anyone would believe these rumours”.

How the investigation has unfolded so far

It has now been more than 14-months since Ms Ristevski vanished from the Avondale Heights home she shared with her husband Borce.

Her body was found in bushland in Mt Macedon on February 20.

Last week the Herald Sun revealed police were carrying out tests on a black Mercedes identical to the one owned by Ms Ristevski.

On August 30 detectives staged a re-enactment of the route they believe Ms Ristevski’s murderer may have taken from Avondale Heights to Mt Macedon.

Investigators believe the Mercedes is a significant clue in the case.

MONEY WOES BEFORE KAREN’S DEATH

The site where Karen Ristevski's body was found at Mount Macedon on February 20. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Police arrive at the Ristevski house in Avondale Heights a day after her body was found outside Macedon. Picture: Mark Stewart

In June the Herald Sun revealed that a black Mercedes-Benz SLK coupe was captured on CCTV being driven through Diggers Rest, towards Mt Macedon, on June 29 last year — the same day Ms Ristevski vanished.

A black Mercedes was also seen by a witness in the vicinity of Childers Rd and Mt Macedon Rd in late June last year, close to where the body was found.

The Herald Sun understands that one theory police are working on is that the Mercedes was being driven by Ms Ristevski’s husband, Borce, and that her body was in the vehicle when CCTV recorded it in Diggers Rest.

Karen's coffin is carried from St Johns Uniting Church, Essendon. Picture: Nicole Garmston

Mr Ristevski has denied having anything to do with his wife’s death.

The widower has admitted to police that he drove his wife’s Mercedes on the day she went missing, but claimed he went only as far as the Calder Park Raceway before doing a U-turn and driving back to their Avondale Heights home.

The head of Victoria Police’s missing persons squad, Detective Inspector Tim Day, confirmed in June that Mr Ristevski is a suspect in the investigation into the murder of his wife.

Insp Day took control of the probe earlier this year.

In July the Herald Sun revealed that Mr Ristevski could not tell police what he was doing for almost 100 minutes on the day she vanished.

Anyone with any information about sighting the black Mercedes, or any information about the Karen Ristevski murder, should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website, crimestoppersvic.com.au.

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@davidhurleyHS