Tasmania Police provide update on missing Burnie teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell

Police have revealed lab results for seized items they thought may have been connected to missing 14-year-old Shyanne-Lee Tatnell – and are still trying to identify two drivers they wish to speak to. VIDEO >

Vigil for missing Launceston teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, 14, who has not been seen since April 30, 2023. Picture: Alex Treacy

Police have revealed lab results came back negative for seized items they thought may have been connected to missing 14-year-old Burnie teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell.

It comes as question marks hang over the identities of two drivers who were captured on CCTV in the vicinity and time of her disappearance.

Shyanne was last seen crossing the Henry St bridge over the North Esk River at Launceston between 8.30 and 9pm on Sunday, April 30.

“Police investigations are ongoing to locate Shyanne who has not been seen or heard from for over four weeks,” Northern CIB Inspector Nathan Johnston said on Monday.

“In recent weeks police seized a number of items during a search and submitted them for forensic testing. The results have been received and there is no forensic link between these items and Shyanne.

“Police will continue to follow avenues of enquiry and investigate every piece of information received – I urge anyone with information, no matter how small, to please come forward and contact us.

Paternal grandmother Michelle Hubbard and mum Bobbi-Lee Ketchell at a vigil in Launceston's city park for missing teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, 14. Picture: Alex Treacy

“There were several vehicles of interest which were in the area of Henry Street, travelling towards Launceston, around 9pm on 30 April when Shyanne was last seen. Of these vehicles police have identified all but two.

“If you can assist police to identify these two vehicles, please come forward. It is possible the driver and any occupants in these vehicles may have seen something that can assist police to locate Shyanne or determine her movements.”

Insp Johnston provided an additional update on the case on Monday afternoon.

He said that although Northern CIB had taken over management of the case, it remained officially a missing person investigation, rather than homicide.

“We’d have to have credible information come in that would lead us in that direction [of a homicide investigation],” he said.

He revealed that detectives had spoken with a number of “persons of interest,” seizing a vehicle from one of them, which was forensically analysed, but no links were found.

He said that police and search and rescue continue to perform periodic searches of the North Esk River and Henry St bridge area.

On Sunday, a public vigil was held for the missing teen at Launceston’s City Park, with around 100 concerned residents turning out to give their support to the family.

Launceston’s Acting Mayor Matthew Garwood spoke alongside Shyanne’s mother, Bobbi-Lee Ketchell, who revealed the extent of her heartache to the Mercury last week – over one month since her daughter vanished.

Anyone with information in relation to the vehicles or drivers is urged to contact Launceston CIB on 131 444 or report anonymously to Crime Stoppers through crimestopperstas.com.au