Wantirna woman Sarah Weatherstone missing as police search Hallam wetlands
Sarah Weatherstone’s family has described the heartache after their daughter “vanished” following a catch-up with friends almost a month ago.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A desperate mother has described her daughter’s unusual disappearance as “a living nightmare”.
Wantirna woman Sarah Weatherstone, 28, has been missing for almost a month after she was last seen by friends leaving a gathering at a Narre Warren factory on March 23 about 4.30pm.
Ms Weatherstone, who suffers from borderline personality disorder, did not return home for her 28th birthday on April 12, or her grandfather’s birthday shortly after.
Speaking through tears, Sarah’s mother Judith Weatherstone said she and her daughter were “very close”, with the pair keeping in contact almost daily.
“I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy,” she said.
“It’s a living nightmare. I see this on my TV shows. I don’t want to live it.
“It’s like she’s vanished. She’s a very family orientated girl.”
She said Ms Weatherstone had not been acting strangely in the days leading up to her last sighting at the factory near Vesper Drive and Princes Hwy and had not given any indication that she was going anywhere.
She is due to fly to Queensland with her family for a wedding later this week.
“We would be in contact every single day. Even if we had an argument, she would still contact me,” she said.
“She was really looking forward to that (the wedding).
“If anyone has seen her, we just want her home.
“Please contact somebody.”
A three-day search of the Hallam Valley Wetlands between April 11 and April 13 by police, including Victoria Police’s drone Unit, Mounted Branch and Rescue Squad, and SES crews, failed to locate Ms Weatherstone or any of her belongings, including her mobile phone which last provided a signal in the wetlands on March 24.
Investigators probed friends who attended the factory, located about 4km away from the marsh, but none could provide any details about Ms Weatherstone’s movements.
Ms Weatherstone said she received a text from Sarah on the afternoon of March 24, letting her know that she was returning home, but her replies to her daughter then went unanswered.
She reported her missing the following day.
In CCTV footage that captured Ms Weatherstone’s last sighting, she can be seen leaving the factory alone on foot, wearing a green jumper, yellow singlet, cream coloured pants and white sneakers while holding a white plastic bag.
She was then seen walking along Princes Hwy, no longer holding the large bag.
Ms Weatherstone is described as Caucasian with blonde hair.
Senior Constable Adam Read said none of Sarah’s belongings, including her phone, had been located in the search.
Police are expected to monitor her bank and social media accounts for new activity, none of which have been seen since she disappeared.
Ms Weatherstone’s disappearance is not being treated as suspicious.
“We will continue to search that area (wetlands) over the coming days and weeks,” he said.
“We are especially appealing to anyone in the area that may have seen Sarah and can assist us in locating her.”
Anyone with further information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Kickboxer linked to Melbourne’s underworld emerges in Dubai
High-flying fighter and trainer Salim Aschna has become the latest figure with ties to Melbourne’s underworld to relocate to the Middle East, opening an up-market restaurant in the region.
Warrnambool dad killed over rental dispute, court hears
A Warrnambool man whose body has never been found was killed with a baseball bat and buried in a bush grave over a rental dispute with his landlord, a court has heard.