Karen Ristevski was at risk of losing her home as her financial troubles are revealed

A MELBOURNE woman who went missing three weeks ago has had her family’s financial strain revealed and she was at risk of losing her home.

Karen Ristevski at her Bella Bleu business at Watergardens Town Centre in Taylors Lakes. Picture: Kylie Else

A MELBOURNE woman who went missing three weeks ago was at risk of losing the family home.

The financial sufferings that surround Karen Ristevski’s mysterious disappearance have been revealed and the family has been in about $600,000 in debt for the past decade.

Mrs Ristevski had a fight with her husband Borce about their financial problems on June 29 and left her $1.1 million home in Avondale Heights, in Melbourne’s northwest, about 10am to clear her head.

The 47-year-old has not been seen since.

The Ristevski family owns the Bella Bleu boutique at the Watergardens Town Centre in Taylors Lakes in Melbourne’s northwest and another store in Broadmeadows in Melbourne’s north.

The Australian reports property records show a shopping centre lodged a caveat over the Ristevski family home earlier this year, believed to be due to unpaid rent.

A caveat is a document that can tag another person’s land and stop it from being sold or transferred into another name.

The Ristevskis’ home. Picture: Ellen Smith

Mr Ristevski and his brother Vasko previously owned clothing manufacturer and wholesaler Blue Laser Jean Co, according the The Australian, and the company racked up $600,000 of unsecured debts after one of its major customers restructured.

Real estate group Vicinity and financial company Perpetual are believed to have lodged the caveat over the family home. The Australian understands Vicinity is the landlord at the Broadmeadows shopping centre where one of the Bella Bleu stores operates.

Victoria Police said investigations around Mrs Ristevski’s disappearance were ongoing and officers previously expressed grave concerns for the woman’s welfare.

Karen Ristevski’s daughter, Sarah, and husband, Borce. Picture: Tracey Nearmy/AAP

Karen Ristevski went missing without a trace after going for a walk from her home on June 29.

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

Police were searching the Maribyrnong River last week, which snakes behind Ms Ristevski’s home.

There has been a wave of support on social media to find the popular dress shop owner.

“We’ve laughed together, dressed and undressed together, and shared our highs and lows,” friend Connie Johnson posted on the Love Your Sister Facebook page.

Police questioned Mr Ristevski earlier this month over the disappearance and he has been released pending further inquiries.

SES searching behind the Ristevski's house at Avondale Heights for missing Karen Ristevski. Picture: Hamish Blair

Last week the family shut down a press conference after a Channel 7 reporter asked Mr Ristevski if he killed his wife.

Ms Ristevski’s aunt, Patricia, was upset by the question.

“That’s really not appropriate at the moment ... honestly, I have to say, that is really inappropriate ... this is about Karen, this is not about anything else, this is about finding Karen,” she said.

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.

Police say her disappearance is out of character.

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