Tasmania Police ramp up search efforts around Launceston’s North Esk River to find missing Burnie teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell

One of several mobile phones recovered from a riverbed may belong to missing teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, police say. LATEST >

Police are appealing for information in relation to missing teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell. Picture: Tasmania Police

ONE of several mobile phones recovered from a riverbed may belong to missing teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, police say.

On Friday – nearly a fortnight since the 14-year-old Burnie teenager went missing from Launceston, – police continued search efforts and said a number of recovered mobile phones would be sent for forensic testing.

It comes as Tasmania Police Inspector Craig Fox said on Thursday detectives were leaving “no stone unturned” in their investigations, but admitted the chances of finding the teenager were becoming “slimmer and slimmer” the longer the search continued.

Insp Fox also said police were preparing for the outcome that they could recover a body.

Shyanne was last seen crossing the Henry St bridge over the North Esk River at Launceston between 8.34 and 8.40pm on Sunday, April 30.

“Yesterday, during an extensive search of the North Esk River in the area where Shyanne-Lee was last seen, police located a number of mobile phones. Forensic testing of the phones will be conducted to determine if any are linked to Shyanne-Lee,” Insp Fox said.

“Today, police boats and divers will return to the North Esk River, to continue searching for any traces of Shyanne-Lee.

“Again, I reiterate, if Shyanne-Lee is out there, or if anyone knows where she is, please come forward and let us know. She is not in any trouble.”

Anyone with information is urged to report to police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers Tasmania – information can be provided anonymously.

Finding missing teen’s body ‘outcome we have to prepare for’ as search gets ‘slimmer’

May 11: POLICE are “leaving no stone unturned” in locating missing 14-year-old Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, but say the odds of finding her are becoming “slimmer and slimmer”.

It comes as police have found items in the North Esk River possibly belonging to the Burnie teen, and say finding her body “is an outcome we have to prepare for”.

Shyanne-Lee was last seen crossing the Henry St bridge over the North Esk River at Launceston, heading towards Ravenswood between 8.34–8.40pm on Sunday, April 30.

She has made no contact with family, made any banking transactions or surfaced on social media since her disappearance.

Shyanne-Lee has been missing for 11 days. Picture: Facebook

Tasmania Police Inspector Craig Fox said on Thursday search efforts had ramped up to find the 14-year-old, and would continue until “we have done everything we can to locate Shyanne”.

He said there was no suggestion foul play was involved, but did not completely rule it out.

On Thursday, volunteer community patrols and SES officers helped comb the area, along with police divers and helicopter aerial patrols.

Shyanne-Lee Tatnell: How girl disappeared without a trace

“We have thrown a lot of resources at this but there comes a time when we will have exhausted them. Until then, we won’t stop and will leave no stone unturned,” Insp Fox said.

“A considerable amount of the river has been searched and we have located some items of interest. We won’t know if they are connected until forensic analysis has been carried out.”

Insp Fox said he would not disclose what the items were as to not “cause distress to the family”.

Tasmania Police Inspector Craig Fox speaking about the disappearance of Burnie teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, 14, from Launceston on April 30, 2023. May 8, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy

“We are looking for a phone, clothing and unfortunately, it’s not nice to say – a body,” he said.

“If Shyanne is in the river, it’s an outcome that we have to prepare for. But I’m confident she’s alive until we can prove otherwise.”

Insp Fox said police want “the most positive outcome we can for the family and the community” and “everyone wants to find Shyanne alive”.

“The family is distressed. It’s the worst thing for a parent to go through and as a parent myself, I couldn’t imagine how they are feeling.”

Missing Launceston teenager, Shyanne-Lee Tatnell. Picture: Tasmania Police

He said detectives were “practical”, and that chances of finding her were getting “slimmer and slimmer the longer this goes on”.

“Shyanne if you are watching this or scared to come forward because of how long it has been, please contact us. We need to know you’re okay.”

She is described as being approximately 160cm tall, slim build with blonde hair.

At the time she was last seen, she was wearing a cream coloured hooded jumper with dark coloured writing on the chest and shoulder area. She was also wearing bike shorts, police say.

Originally published as Tasmania Police ramp up search efforts around Launceston’s North Esk River to find missing Burnie teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell