Security cameras did not catch missing mum Karen Ristevski leaving home
SECURITY cameras at suspected murder victim Karen Ristevski’s house did not catch her leaving the property, with her neighbours saying they did not see her on the morning she vanished.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
SECURITY cameras at suspected murder victim Karen Ristevski’s house did not catch her leaving the property 16 days ago, and her neighbours say they did not see her on the morning she vanished.
As police widened their search, the Herald Sun can reveal detectives plan on Friday to focus their inquiries on a second location. Investigators hope a breakthrough in their investigation is imminent.
Detectives were confident they could determine a specific area in which to look for the Avondale Heights mother, 47, or her belongings, including a mobile phone and gold handbag.
Police sources confirmed they had spoken to people in the area, who had been unable to back up claims that Mrs Ristevski had walked from her home and failed to come back on June 29th.
No witnesses have come forward to say they saw her in the area that Wednesday.
The police focus during the past fortnight has largely been on the Maribyrnong River and bushland behind the family’s Oakley Drive home.
But police now believe there may be clues elsewhere.
Standing near the river, Mrs Ristevski’s husband, Borce, and daughter Sarah, 21, both visibly emotional, clutched each other’s arms as Mrs Ristevski’s aunt Patricia made a plea to the public for information.
A press conference was later cut short when a Channel 7 reporter interjected, turning to Mr Ristevski to directly ask him if he had killed his wife.
Mr Ristevski did not answer the question. Patricia interrupted, saying: “That’s really not appropriate at the moment ... this is about Karen, this is not about anything else, this is about finding Karen.”
The family rushed to a waiting police car to be driven home.
Patricia, who did not want her surname published, had earlier said she did not know anyone who would want to harm her niece, nor was it in Mrs Ristevski’s character to leave her family.
“It’s not possible someone just disappears like this,” she said. “It’s not Karen. Karen would not leave us.”
The family remained hopeful that someone heard or saw something that would lead to Mrs Ristevski’s being found.
“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 out there.”
She said the 15 days since Mrs Ristevski’s disappearance had been like a “nightmare”.
Sarah said: “If anyone knows anything, even something small, please contact the police.
“Please respect our privacy. It’s getting really hard. We’re just a small family: me, dad, and mum. We miss her.”
Police and State Emergency Services personnel scoured a 60ha area along the banks of the Maribyrnong River, between Canning Reserve and Buckley St, in the hope of finding Mrs Ristevski’s handbag and purse.
Water police also swept the river but failed to find a lead.
Mrs Ristevski was reported missing by her husband, who told police she had left the house about 10am to cool off with a walk following an argument about finances relating to their small business.
Neighbours did not see or hear from Mrs Ristevski that day, and no one has come forward to police to say they saw her walking from the house.
A footpath beside the double-storey home leads to a popular walking trail and riverside bushland, an area that Mrs Ristevski frequented.
Inspector Stephen Dennis, of Victoria Police’s Missing Persons Squad, said: “We can’t say what route she may have taken. We can’t say how she left the house. That’s still up in the air for us at this stage.”
Police have reviewed CCTV footage taken from the area, but cameras had not captured Mrs Ristevski’s movements on the day she vanished.
Insp Dennis said there had been no trace of Mrs Ristevski; her phone remained switched off, and her bank accounts had not been used.
“There has been nothing from Karen to date,” he said.
“We have grave concerns for her welfare.”
He called on anyone with CCTV cameras that could have captured anything that day to come forward to police.
Mr Ristevski, Sarah, and Mrs Ristevski’s aunt, Patricia, have remained at the family home this week, receiving few visitors.
Early in the investigation, police seized two cars, which are yet to be returned.
They have also questioned Mr Ristevski, but he was released.
Investigators have released photos of Mrs Ristevski and her gold Coach purse and gold Coach handbag, which she was believed to have been carrying with her at the time of her disappearance.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000
‘Angels’: Hero Coles workers save mum’s life
A mother of three has opened up on how her life was saved after she suddenly collapsed while doing a routine supermarket shop.
Wildlife and traffic fears over music festival
Wildlife advocates fear a weekend music festival in central Victoria will endanger native animals including rescued joeys.