Shyanne-Lee Tatnell: How girl disappeared without a trace

Tasmania Police has resumed combing the North Esk River for clues as to the whereabouts of a missing Launceston teen. They hope the low tide reveals new clues. FREE READ.

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

Tasmania Police have resumed combing the North Esk River for clues as to the whereabouts of missing Launceston teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, 14.

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

She hasn’t contacted family, made any financial transactions or been active on social media since that last verified sighting of her.

Missing Launceston teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, 14, was last seen crossing Launceston's Henry St bridge, heading towards Ravenswood, just after 8.30pm Sunday, April 30, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy

On Wednesday, Inspector Craig Fox said searches of the river had resumed.

“Police are returning to the North Esk River to conduct another search for Shyanne-Lee and any of her belongings,” he said.

“On Thursday specialist police officers from Search and Rescue, our Dive Squad, and the Westpac Rescue Helicopter will also be deployed to search the North Esk River.”

The new searches coincide with the river being at a particularly low tidal ebb.

Missing Launceston teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, 14, was last seen crossing Launceston's Henry St bridge, heading towards Ravenswood, just after 8.30pm Sunday, April 30, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy

Insp Fox previously said initial searches of the waterway had been hampered by turbidity and submerged logs.

Shyanne-Lee 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

MONDAY, MAY 8: A teenager missing from Launceston since the evening of April 30 hasn’t contacted family, made any financial transactions or been active on social media, Tasmania Police say.

Launceston teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, 14, was last seen crossing the Henry St bridge over the North Esk River towards Ravenswood between 8.34–8.40pm on Sunday, April 30.

Police have been publicly calling for information since last Tuesday.

On Monday afternoon, Inspector Craig Fox said police held “serious concerns” for the girl’s safety.

Insp. Fox said that while “two to three” witnesses had positively identified Shyanne-Lee at the bridge on April 30, there was not a single bit of information about her movements from that time onwards.

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

After reviewing CCTV footage, police had identified several cars in the area at the relevant time, the drivers of which investigators were yet to speak with, Insp. Fox said.

“We haven’t released the details of those cars yet, but if you know you were driving on Henry St at that time last Sunday, please get in touch with us so we can get a statement from you and see if you saw Shyanne,” he said.

Insp. Fox confirmed there were no persons of interest in the case, nor are the vehicles seen on Henry St under suspicion of connection to the case.

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Last week, police divers and boats combed the North Esk River near the Henry St bridge.

“There is nothing to suggest there is any foul play at the moment,” Insp. Fox said.

“Her last known sighting was on the bridge, it would be remiss of us not to check the water.”

Insp. Fox said the search was complicated by the turbid, muddy river and the presence of sunken logs.

Shyanne-Lee. Picture: Facebook

“It’s quite a difficult area to search. We might revisit that in the middle of the week when it’s a very low tide,” Insp. Fox said.

Police helicopters continue to comb the area via air.

Insp. Fox said there had been “no indication” via banking or telecommunications data, nor social media, that Shyanne-Lee had been active.

She had only recently relocated to Launceston from Burnie and was in “safe” accommodation, Insp. Fox said.

Shyanne-Lee 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.