General News
24 July, 2022
Farmers help search for missing woman
WYCHEPROOF locals remain baffled over the disappearance of 58-year-old Colleen South, whose car was found abandoned 15km outside the town on July 3.
WYCHEPROOF locals remain baffled over the disappearance of 58-year-old Colleen South, whose car was found abandoned 15km outside the town on July 3.
One said there had been a heavy police presence in the town since a Wycheproof farmer found Ms South's 2006 silver Hyundai Getz sedan parked underneath a tree on Mackie's Road.
"(The community) isn't sure what to think about it," he told the Warracknabeal Herald.
"It's very concerning (that) she hasn't been found."
The Wycheproof resident, who preferred not to be named, said about 20 to 30 police - including a Canine Unit and the Highway Patrol - were continuing to comb the area.
Ms South's car was found along the isolated Charlton-Swan Hill road.
"I go down the road two to three times a week," he said.
"It's unusual (Ms South) would be travelling along that road.
"I barely see cars (when I'm on that road). Only farmers use it to get to their properties."
He said farmers owning property along that road had been interviewed and said the police were "doing all they can" and it had been a "good response".
Items believed to belong to Ms South were found a short distance from the car.
Police were unable to confirm whether or not a note had been found.
Ms South, from South Australia, was last seen in Adelaide.
CCTV captured her visiting a Liquorland store on July 2 at 11:50 am. Police believe she then headed for northern rural Victoria.
Swan Hill police are now coordinating the search in the Wimmera-Mallee.
Police and family hold concerns for Ms South as she has a medical condition and her disappearance is out of character.
She is described as having a heavy build with brown hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing blue jeans with a black and white striped shirt.
Currently, Ms South's disappearance is not being treated as suspicious.
Police have released an image of Ms South and urge anyone who sees her, or has any information concerning her disappearance, to contact Swan Hill Police Station at (03) 5036 1600.