Police ramp up search for missing grandma Colleen South

Police have sent a range of extra resources to Wycheproof in regional Victoria as the search for missing woman Colleen South enters a 17th day.

More than 30 specialist search and rescue police have saturated the regional town of Wycheproof in a bid to find missing woman Colleen South.

Ms South, 58, has been missing for 17 days, with her family saying her disappearance is out of character.

On Wednesday police said they had redeployed officers from the search and rescue squad, the mounted branch, the dog squad, the public order response team and highway patrol units.

They are also using drones in their bid to find the missing grandmother.

“At this stage, Colleen’s disappearance is not being treated as suspicious,” Superintendent Bec Olsen said.

“We have entered week three of the search, so we can provide answers to her family.”

Ms South’s family had been critical of what they called the “red tape” and “bureaucracy” between SA Police and Victoria Police in initially dealing with her case.

The investigation continues.

Cryptic clues found in crashed car

A missing woman’s handwritten note saying “help me please” found in regional Victoria has prompted relatives to believe foul play has been involved in her sudden disappearance.

Adelaide grandmother Colleen South, 58, has been missing for more than a fortnight, prompting a police investigation in Wycheproof, in the state’s northwest.

The Herald Sun can reveal Victoria Police has taken carriage of the case, with SA Police handing over the investigation on Sunday.

Ms South was last seen by a witness on July 3 about 3pm in the Mallee town of Ninyeunook, 300km from Melbourne.

Less than an hour later, a farmer noticed her abandoned 2006 Hyundai Getz sedan about 4pm in Bunguluke, about 30km away.

Colleen South's abandoned 2006 Hyundai Getz sedan.

Bags that were found 20m from the car.

Footprints seen near the missing woman’s crashed Hyundai.

A campfire was also located nearby.

Two days later, the farmer called police after realising the car had crashed into a ditch and sustained damage, with airbags deployed.

Ms South’s belongings including her handbag and keys were found about 20m from the car including a journal where she had written “help me please”.

“As a family, we believe foul play is involved,” niece Farah Mak said.

“We need this to be escalated and for police to treat it as suspicious. This is out of character for Colleen.”

Ms Mak, a television personality who has appeared in Neighbours, has taken aim at the investigation.

“We need forensic investigators on this to treat it like a serious crime,” she said.

Adelaide grandmother Colleen South was last seen more than a fortnight ago.

The grandmother’s loved ones are pleading for information.

Her family members fear she has met with foul play.

“What we’re trying to get is action and outcome. It has been a shemozzle. The attention to detail has not been great, things have been missed.”

South Australia police said a “thorough investigation” had taken place, adding they will continue to support Victoria Police in their quest to find Ms South.

Inspector Gerry de Vries said officers had deployed horses, the air wing, the dog squad and foot patrols in a bid to locate her.

“We’ve scoured that area,” he said.

“We haven’t been able to find any evidence other than what’s in the immediate vicinity of that car.

Veronica South is still searching for her mum in regional Victoria.

Colleen South’s niece, Farah Mak, has hit out at police.

A chilling note found among Colleen South’s belongings.

“She’s a very sociable person around other people, so it may well be that she’s made friends with somebody and she’s left that location and that’s the thing that is baffling because there’s nothing.”

The missing woman’s daughter, Veronica South, 21, is running her own search in the Wycheproof area and has found a pen, medication, footprints and a recently lit campfire.

“It feels like no one wants to take responsibility of the case at all,” she said.

“I just want my Mum to come home, and she has a granddaughter who needs her as well.”

Ms South is described as 154cm tall, with a heavy build, green eyes and brown hair.