Family finds clues in disappearance of South Australian woman Colleen South

Clues are piling up in the mysterious disappearance of a South Australian woman who vanished after a trip across the border to Victoria.

South Australian grandmother Colleen South vanished without a trace earlier this month in a case that has baffled police and left family members to follow a series of clues.

The 58-year-old went missing after driving her 2006 Hyundai Getz from the SA suburb of Renown Park on Friday July 1 to Wyncheproof in rural Victoria.

There, two days later, the vehicle was found abandoned having crashed into a ditch. The airbags had deployed across the road from a farmhouse but Colleen was nowhere to be seen.

Her belongings were not far from the scene — less than 20 metres away.

They included her handbag and purse, a set of car and house keys and a journal with a note that read: “Help me please.”

Her daughter Veronica, who is growing increasingly anxious, has spent days in the area more than 250km northwest of Melbourne, carryout out her own searches.

Family members are distraught as police search for missing woman Colleen South, left, pictured with her daughter, Veronica.

She says police initially failed to treat the case with the seriousness she believes it deserves. She thinks foul play is at hand but police are yet to treat the matter as suspicious.

During her searches, she found her mother’s essential medication, a campfire, a pen and downtrodden grass.

“It’s been 2 weeks since you’ve been missing mum,” Veronica wrote on Facebook on Sunday.

“Although, it feels like a really long time but I’m just getting started with this search.”

She said she has been speaking with locals and meeting with farmers but “there was no luck of getting any new evidence today”.

“I am praying we find you soon and everyday feels like I’m getting a step closer to finding you. It hasn’t been easy. I am missing you everyday.”

Colleen’s niece, Australian actress Farah Mak, has been speaking out about the case.

She wants more to be done to find her aunty.

Colleen’s bags were located a short distance from the car.

A page in Colleen’s journal read: “Help me please”.

“Our family have discovered new evidence during their own searches and the police have not taken action from these discoveries,” said the actress who had a role in TV series Neighbours.

“There were tyre tracks in an image from police photos that appear to drive right up to where she had been sitting.” Farah said.

“The police did not dust anything, including her car for prints. Our hope is that we get action and outcome from Victoria Police by treating this as a crime and investigating accordingly to find Colleen ASAP, and to bring her home safely to her daughter who is braving these heartbreaking and frustrating circumstances with the utmost of courage, resilience and integrity.”

Victoria Police, who took over the investigation from their South Australian counterparts in recent days, issued a statement to the media on Monday.

“Victoria Police is appealing for public assistance to help locate missing South Australian woman Colleen South,” the statement read.

Farah Mak's aunty Colleen South has been missing for two weeks. Picture: Supplied

“The 58-year-old Renown Park woman was reported missing in South Australia after she was last seen driving a 2006 silver Hyundai Getz sedan at Renown Park on Friday 1 July around 3.30pm.

“The Hyundai was located abandoned in a ditch off Mackies Road, Bunguluke 15kms east of Wycheproof in Victoria, on 3 July.

“Victoria Police commenced a comprehensive search of dense bushland in the surrounding area conducting Air Wing and Drone searches along with Mounted Branch, Canine Unit, officers on foot and in vehicles along with SES.

“Local farmers were also asked to check buildings and sheds on their properties. Police and family have concerns for Colleen as she has a medical condition and her disappearance is out of character.”

They said Colleen’s disappearance “is not being treated as suspicious”.

Colleen South is loved by her family. Picture: Facebook

The 58-year-old was last seen in CCTV footage at Liquorland in St Agnes, South Australia, about 11.50am on July 2.

Police believe she travelled east to northern Victoria from there.

A witness claims the say her driving at Ninyeunook on July 3 before her abandoned vehicle was found outside a farmhouse later that day.

Colleen is about 154cm tall, of solid build, and has brown hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a black and white striped shirt with blue jeans.

Anyone with information about her whereabouts should contact Swan Hill Police Station on [phone].