Ruth Ridley: Police bring in dogs in search for grandmother feared murdered

Police are upping the search for a grandmother who went missing while camping near a regional Victorian town a year ago. It’s feared Ruth Ridley was murdered by her estranged husband.

Police are ramping up their search for a missing grandmother 12 months after she was last seen alive.

Ruth Ridley was reported missing on October 30 last year after camping on the Murray River — but despite an extensive search by both Victoria and New South Wales police, no trace of the 58-year-old has been found since.

Detectives believe Mrs Ridley, who was from Port Macquarie in NSW, had been camping at Neil’s Reserve overnight on the 26 to 27 October, 2019, in the tiny northern Victorian town of Walwa.

Ruth Ridley, 58, disappeared a year ago.

Her Mitsubishi Pajero four-wheel-drive was found in the same area on October 29 with the body of her estranged husband Gary, 61, inside.

His death is not regarded as suspicious.

Today, a specialist cadaver dog from the NSW Police Dog Unit will scour the area surrounding the Murray River Road campsite.

Police are also appealing for anyone who was in the area at the time to come forward, as even the smallest detail could be crucial.

Wodonga Family Violence Unit Detective Leading Senior Constable Andrew Leonard

said police believe four other groups were at the site at the time Mrs Ridley was reported missing.

A still from a video Ruth Ridley took of husband Gary at camping spot at Neils Bend.

“To date we have only spoken to one of those campers and would really like to hear from the others that were in the area at the time, ”he said.

““It’s been 12 months since Ruth’s disappearance even the slightest detail could be of significant assistance to help us ascertain what has occurred.”

At the time of her disappearance, police were probing why Mrs Ridley’s caravan was towed into Victoria and then back into NSW three times before being found in the NSW town of Tumbarumba on October 30.

Last year friends told the Herald Sun Mrs Ridley would never disappear of her own will.

A close friend of Ruth, who asked to remain anonymous, said she was a “gorgeous” person who had recently changed her phone number.

“Ruth did send me a message and said her and Gary had separated,” the close friend said.

“The last time I heard from Ruth, about a month ago, she wasn’t doing very well.

The investigation remains ongoing as Victoria Police prepares a report for the Coroner.

Anyone with information that could assist police with their inquiries is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

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