The mystery surrounding the disappearance of a grandma has been deepened by the recovery of shotgun ammunition at her last known location.
The distraught family of Colleen South thinks there was foul play in the 58-year-disappearance. old’s
She was last observed alive leaving her silver Hyundai Getz hatchback at Renown Park in Adelaide’s inner north at around 3.30 p.m. on July 1.
The cops ‘have not followed up on this, nor reported it,’ according to a relative of Ms. South who claims her uncle discovered “spent shotgun shells at the scene.”
While ‘out of character’, Victoria Police are not treating the grandmother’s disappearance as suspicious.
Australian actress Farah Mak, Ms. South’s niece, attacked Victoria Police on social media for allegedly botching the investigation.
The @victoriapolice reported that no footprints had been located, but my cousin had discovered tracks and a lit-up fire nearby.
“Photos taken by @victoriapolice reveal that there are tire trucks of a vehicle driving right up close to my Aunty’s personal items where she would have been seated – no crime scene investigation,” reads the caption of one of the images. It was explained to my cousin and her companions that “this may have been from anything.”
In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Victoria Police denied the family’s allegations that Ms. South might have been a victim of a crime.
It also refuted suggestions that an appropriate investigation had not been carried out.
‘Victoria Police commenced a comprehensive search of dense bushland in the surrounding area conducting Air Wing and Drone searches along with Mounted Branch, Canine Unit, officers on foot and in vehicles along with SES,’ the statement read.
‘Local farmers were also asked to check buildings and sheds on their properties.’
Detectives claim the only fears they hold for Ms South stem from a known medical condition and her ‘disappearance was out of character’.
Photos taken from the scene indicate Ms South had been taking Aripiprazole – a drug primarily used in the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Her damaged car and belongings were discovered in Wycheproof, northern Victoria, including her journal which contained a handwritten note with the words ‘help me please’.
Ms South’s daughter Veronica told Daily Mail Australia she had made the five-and-a-half-hour trip from Adelaide at least three times in the last week to conduct her own searches in Wycheproof.
She believes her mother’s disappearance is suspicious because her belongings were left behind with the car door locked.
‘Also … there’s no trace of my mum, or footprints where she has walked, and no scent detected from the dogs.
‘Also my mum didn’t go to the farmers for help. The house is right next door to where her car was found, so she would have definitely gone there for help but there has been no record of anyone seeing her which I think is odd.’
A Facebook page called Bring Colleen Home set up by Ms South’s family has grown to more than 500 members.
Her daughter took to Facebook on Sunday night to provide an update on her harrowing ordeal.
‘It’s been two weeks since you’ve been missing Mum,’ Veronica wrote.
‘Although, it feels like a really long time but I’m just getting started with this search. Spoke to locals today and have been meeting with farmers, there was no luck of getting any new evidence today.
‘I am praying we find you soon and everyday feels like I’m getting a step closer to finding you. It hasn’t been easy. I am missing you every day.
‘Tomorrow we may have an update from the police of where to go with the search from here. We are thinking positive and hopefully we will get a positive outcome.’
On July 2, at around 11.50 a.m., Ms. South was seen on surveillance video entering a Liquorland in St. Agnes. According to authorities, she afterwards traveled to rural northern Victoria.
The following day, a witness saw her driving her Hyundai Getz at Ninyeunook, 267 kilometers north of Melbourne, which was the final sighting to be reported.
A farmer found Ms South’s abandoned automobile parked off the side of Mackies Road, 26 kilometers away in Bunguluke, about an hour later.
The farmer discovered the automobile had crashed into a ditch, received damage, and had the airbags deployed two days later, at which point he dialed 911.
Ms South’s belongings were found about 20 metres from the car, including her handbag, purse, keys and a journal.
On Saturday, the group found Ms South’s essential medication, downtrodden grass, a pen, footprints and a recently lit campfire.
Ms South is described as 154cm tall with a heavy build, green eyes and brown hair. She was last seen wearing blue jeans, black and white striped shirt.
Anyone who sees Colleen or has any information is urged to contact police.