Police believe missing Melbourne woman Karen Ristevski could have been murdered

A PRESS conference over the missing Melbourne mum was immediately stopped by the family after a journalist asked a controversial question.

THERE are still no answers into the mysterious disappearance of Karen Ristevski, but police now think she could be dead.

The Melbourne woman left her luxury home in Avondale Heights, in Melbourne’s northwest, about two weeks ago.

She had just had a fight with her husband Borce and she needed to get some fresh air. They had been arguing about financial issues affecting the family business.

Since she walked out the door, nobody has heard from the woman.

Police were today searching the Maribyrnong River and family again appealed for information when a Channel 7 reporter asked Mr Ristevski if he killed his wife.

A Victoria Police spokesman told AAP on Tuesday they interviewed the man as part of an ongoing investigation into the woman’s disappearance. He was released pending further inquiries.

The couple’s luxury home and surrounding areas were also searched by police. There is no suggestion he played any part in her disappearance.

Ms Ristevski’s Aunt Patricia was distressed when the reporter asked the husband 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.”

The family immediately stopped the press conference.

Borce and Sarah Ristevski speak about the disappearance of Karen Ristevski. Picture: Sarah Matray

Karen’s husband and daughter Sarah are broken and hope is fading with no confirmed sightings.

The 47-year-old went missing about 10am on June 29 and concerns for her safety came after she didn’t show up to work at the Bella Bleu boutique at the Watergardens Town Centre in Taylors Lakes in Melbourne’s northwest.

Before the confronting question at the press conference, Ms Ristevski’s aunt urged people with information to come forward.

“We have nothing,” she said. “Somebody knows something — it’s not possible someone just disappears like this.

“It’s not Karen. Karen would not leave us.”

Sarah, age 21, broke down during a press conference right after Ms Ristevski’s disappearance.

“I just want my mum to come home,” she told media. “It’s not like her to miss work as well.

“It’s not like her.”

It was not out of character for Ms Ristevski to leave the house to clear her head, but she always came home.

“That was the last thing she said to me: ‘I’m going to go and clear my head’,” Mr Ristevski told media. “She has always walked back in the door after calming down.”

Karen Ristevski went for a walk to clear her head.

Police have grave concerns as the mother has not used her ATM card and her mobile phone is switched off and detectives from the Missing Persons Squad are now investigating the mysterious disappearance.

The Herald Sun reports Ms Ristevski’s brother-in-law, Vic Ristevski, made another call to the public to help find her on Tuesday.

“It’s terrible ... we are all shocked,” he told media. “If you are still alive talk to us.

“If you don’t want to talk to your husband, give me a call or my wife.”

Karen Ristevski’s brother-in-law, Vic Ristevski, says the disappearance is out of character. Picture: David Hurley

He said the family was close and the missing woman was happy while celebrating her daughter’s 21st birthday just a few weeks ago.

“It’s not like her. I don’t talk to her much but when we get together she is happy. He (Borce) is feeling awful, he can hardly talk,” he said.

“It is heartbreaking. I can hardly sleep at night. I wake up at 2am it’s a nightmare.”

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