New theory in missing Karen Ristevski case

THE husband of missing Melbourne mother Karen Ristevski has reportedly told family she may have been abducted by a stranger.

Daughter Sarah, Karen Ristevski and husband Borce.

THE husband of missing Melbourne woman Karen Ristevski has reportedly told family she may have been abducted by a stranger.

The Herald-Sun says it’s understood her husband Borce has told relatives his theory about the mysterious disappearance of his 47-year-old wife.

Ms Ristevski has not been seen since June 29 when she left her $1.1 million Avondale Heights home after an argument with her husband.

A shovel has been found at the family’s home and is being forensically tested, the newspaper reported.

Mr Ristevski alleged theory comes as telecommunications data emerged over the weekend showing Mrs Ristevski’s phone was detected in a series of pings on the Calder Highway, 40km northwest of Melbourne, several hours after her husband said she left their home to go for a walk.

Mr Ristevski’s phone was also tracked on the highway, about 20km from their home. The data suggests his phone was switched off for two hours that day.

Karen Ristevski’s husband Borce and daughter Sarah appeal to the public to help find her.

Mrs Ristevski owned fashion stores Bella Bleu in Broadmeadows, in Melbourne’s north and Taylors Lakes in Melbourne’s northwest.

The Broadmeadows store closed earlier this year and Mr Ristevski and his wife were arguing about the Taylors Lakes store’s takings before her disappearance.

Mr Ristevski said when she left the house for the last time, she went to “clear her head” but denied she had gone in anger.

The couple has been married for about 25 years.

Anthony Rickard, Mrs Ristevski’s meth-addicted stepson, recently made wild claims on Facebook that he had an affair with his stepmother and they had plans to run away together.

Mr Rickard has also heavily criticised his father, Borce, and called him a coward on social media.

He said his father watched him do drugs and “allowed Karen to continue her fantasy of leaving u (sic) to run away with me”.

The stepson of missing person Karen Ristevski, Anthony Rickard, has made wild claims about their relationship. Picture: Alex Coppel

Police stepped up the search for the missing mother last Thursday and are focusing on Melbourne’s northwest.

People who live in the area have been asked to check their properties for any changes.

Police have grave concerns for Mrs Ristevski, despite her brother-in-law suggesting she could have run away. It was reportedhe believed she ran away to China or the US using a fake passport.

Mrs Ristevski’s aunt has angrily dismissed theories that her niece ran away.

Patricia Gray has appealed for information to help locate Mrs Ristevski, whom she believes was murdered and “discarded like a piece of ­rubbish”.

Karen Ristevski has been missing since June 29.

Karen Ristevski allegedly walked out of her home and hasn’t been seen since.

Ms Ristevski’s shattered daughter Sarah, 21, has managed to keep out of the strange twists and turns in her mother’s case and is seeking help from the Missing Persons Advocacy Network.

Ms Ristevski is 160cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder length brown hair.

She was last seen wearing a black jacket and jeans and is known to frequent Taylors Lakes.

She hasn’t used her mobile phone or accessed her bank account since she went missing.

Anyone with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at crimestoppersvic.com.au.

— With wires