Missing Karen Ristevski’s friend Samuel Johnson makes impassioned plea for her safe return
UPDATE: DISTRAUGHT family of Karen Ristevski say they are living a “nightmare”, as police fear the missing woman has been murdered.
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DISTRAUGHT family of Karen Ristevski say they are living a “nightmare”, as police fear the missing woman has been murdered.
Mrs Ristevski’s husband Borce and daughter Sarah cried and huddled together while Mrs Ristevski’s aunty Patricia made a plea for anyone who might know something to come forward.
But the press conference was dramatically cut short when a Channel 7 reporter asked Mr Ristevski if he had killed his wife.
There is no suggestion Mr Ristevski has had anything to do with the disappearance of his wife.
Patricia, who did not give her surname, said Mr Ristevski was too distressed to speak and that the question was “inappropriate” before the family retreated to a waiting car.
She said the family did not know anyone who would want to harm Mrs Ristevski.
“There is absolutely nobody, and if that was the case then we would already know something,” Patricia said.
The family and police had no leads, but were hopeful a fresh search today would yield results.
“We have nothing, so if you have something that you know ... we’re asking you to help us ... even just a suspicion (come forward),” Patricia said.
“Somebody knows something.”
She said the disappearance was out of character.
“It’s not Karen. Karen would not leave us,” Patricia said.
TV star Samuel Johnson has also pleaded for the safe return of Mrs Ristevski, who is a friend of his.
The pleas come as police revealed they are looking for the Avondale Heights mother’s handbag along the Maribyrnong River.
Johnson says Mrs Ristevski, who disappeared more than two weeks ago, is a “community champion” who is “universally loved”.
A fresh search is underway for Mrs Ristevski’s handbag and purse, which they believe could be along the banks of the Maribyrnong behind her house at Avondale Heights.
Water police have launched a boat to search the water for any signs of the missing 47-year-old.
Dozens of SES volunteers have joined police on motorbikes to search the bush alongside the river, between Canning Reserve and Buckley St.
Fears are growing that Mrs Ristevski, 47, may have met with foul play, with friends baffled as to what could have led to her disappearance.
“Karen’s a sensitive, generous, intelligent and kind woman,” said Johnson, star of Molly and The Secret Life of Us, pictured above with her.
“She is the last person in the world you would expect something like this to happen to ... she never puts a foot wrong. Our hearts are bleeding for her daughter.”
Mrs Ristevski, who runs a boutique, struck up a friendship with the actor when she offered to donate specially-made gowns for his sister Connie, who underwent a double mastectomy in her fight against breast cancer. He has been a tireless fundraiser for that cause.
Mrs Ristevski was reported missing on June 29.
Her husband Borce was the last to see her. Mr Ristevski told police she had vanished after walking out of their Oakley Drive house about 10am.
She was said to have left to clear her head after a discussion about the couple’s business finances.
The community has rallied around Mrs Ristevski’s daughter Sarah, 21, who has been plastering her neighbourhood with missing-person posters.
Others have taken to social media to share photos of Mrs Ristevski. “She’s just the most infectious person, it’s so sad for everyone,” one wrote.
Previous searches in the bush around the Maribyrnong River, immediately behind the Ristevski family’s two-storey home, have yielded no leads.
Police have seized two cars as part of their investigation.
Mr Ristevski, who has been interviewed by police, told media last week that his wife had left the house before but only for a couple of hours.
“She has always walked back in the door after calming down,” Mr Ristevski said.
Mrs Ristevski, was last seen wearing a black jacket and jeans and was carrying $850 in a silver Coach handbag and purse.
Her phone was switched off and her bank accounts have not been accessed.
Johnson said: “There’s no clues, absolutely nothing. We’re mystified, we’re desperate for a result.”
Mrs Ristevski befriended Johnson and his terminally ill sister on hearing of his efforts to ride a unicycle around Australia to raise nearly $1.5 million for breast cancer research.
Her daughter contacted his charity Love Your Sister after the disappearance, for help to spread awareness online.
Police say “the investigation is ongoing”.
“Police have concerns for her welfare as her disappearance is out of character,” Acting Sergeant Melissa Seach said.
Anyone who sees Karen is urged to contact triple-0 or anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report to www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
TWO WEEKS OF NOT KNOWING
June 29 — Karen Ristevski, 47, disappears. Her husband Borce tells police she went for a walk from their home in Oakley Drive, Avondale Heights, at 10am, after discussing financial issues relating to a family-run ladies boutique. She said she was going out to clear her head.
July 2 — Investigation is passed onto detectives in the Moonee Valley Criminal Investigation Unit.
July 3 — Kelly Grindley, a Victoria Police spokeswoman, tells the Herald Sun: “Avondale Heights woman Karen Ristevski remains missing. There have not been any confirmed sightings.”
July 8 — Mr Ristevski is questioned by police investigating his wife’s disappearance, which is standard practice.
July 12 — It’s revealed that police are still examining two cars seized during their investigation. Vic Ristevski, Borce Ristevski’s brother, appeals for his sister-in-law to make contact, if she is able to. “If you are still alive talk to us,” he said.
July 13 — Actor Samuel Johnson pleas for information about his missing friend’s whereabouts, despairing at the lack of clues. “She is the last person in the world you would expect something like this to happen to,” he said. “We’re mystified.”
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