The family of Adelaide woman Colleen South is demanding answers regarding the investigation into her disappearance after what is believed to be her body was found at Bunguluke in Victoria’s north-west last week.
Key points:
- A body believed by police to be Adelaide woman Colleen South was found in a paddock under a tree at Bunguluke earlier this month
- The body was discovered less than 1.5 kilometres away from where Ms South’s car was found
- Ms South’s family want to know why she was not found during an extensive search of the area in mid-July
Ms South’s car was found crashed in a ditch at about 4pm on July 3.
CCTV footage showed the 58-year-old at Sunraysia Petroleum at Berriwillock, in Victoria’s Mallee region, earlier that day.
Family members believe she was feeling stressed due to moving house in Adelaide and wanted to go on a short break.
In mid-July, Victoria Police used the Air Wing, drones, mounted officers, foot patrols and a canine unit to search for her within an 18-kilometre radius of her car.
The SES also helped scour the area, but she was not found.
Family members are now asking why the body, which was found in a paddock under a tree by a farmer less than 1.5 kilometres from her car, was not spotted during the extensive searches.
“We are disappointed and disheartened,” Ms South’s niece, Farah Mak, said.
“All these unknowns are enough to make you wonder — how did they miss her in all these searches? And if she was out wandering, how did she survive?”
Victoria Police said the case was not considered suspicious.
“As police are preparing a report for the coroner it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further,” it said in a statement.
Missing items
Ms South was last seen on CCTV wearing a bright-coloured jacket, but Ms Mak said the family was told there was no jacket or shoes found with the body.
“We are hopeful that police will continue investigations,” Ms Mak said.
“There’s been no clarity or answers as to what’s going to happen with the missing items.
“However, the Wycheproof community support has been great — I know that some residents and farmers have been out there looking.
“They’ve taken this on like it’s their own family member.”
Ms Mak said a ring that Ms South was wearing was yet to be returned to the family.
“It was her favourite ring that she never took off,” she said.
“It would mean a lot to return it to Colleen’s daughter Veronica.”
‘So many questions’
Ms South’s family hopes the questions will be answered ahead of the funeral, which is yet to be scheduled.
“At this point in time we have no cause of death,” Ms Mak said.
“It’s the peace of mind we deserve, also justice for Colleen and for the general public so they know things are being done thoroughly.
“We just want to be able to grieve and give her the beautiful send-off she needs — but it’s very difficult to do that when there are so many questions unanswered.
“It makes the heartache and disappointment so much harder to bear.”
Ms Mak would like to see police formally review the search effort.
“I would never wish this upon anyone — the outcome is something we could never imagine,” she said.
“I hope that from this there are changes made in processes so this never happens to anyone again.”
