THE daughter of missing South Australian woman Colleen South said it is hard for her and her family to know where to go from here, as the police search has been officially scaled back and little further evidence about where she might be has come to light.
“We are starting to get really anxious with the search because it has been a month now and we’ve had no answers, and it is just getting overwhelming for all of us,” Veronica South told The Guardian during the week.
“We are just exhausted and drained because there is no answers, no evidence after all this searching.”
During the week, Colleen’s phone was found without its SIM card near Port Noarlunga South Australia, which is more than 570 kilometres from where her abandoned car was found in Ninyeunook near Wycheproof, but that has been the only piece of evidence to be found recently.
“What we are thinking is that she may have thrown her phone out of the car while she was driving and taken her SIM card out,” Ms South said.
Ms South and her family are now looking to hire a private investigator to help find Colleen, with a GoFundMe page started by a family friend to help fund it.
“We are just trying to get it out there so people can donate, even just a small donation will make a huge difference,” Ms South said.
“Every bit counts at this point… a private investigator is very expensive.
“We want answers.”
After spending time in Wycheproof to assist with the search, Ms South returned to Adelaide this week, but plans to travel back in two weeks’ time.
“We spoke to a lot of farmers and things while we were in Wycheproof, but we weren’t able to get any more information on what happened or any more evidence,” Ms South said.
“That was disappointing, but it was really good to talk to the farmers and people there.”
Mildura Police Superintendent Rebecca Olsen said Victoria Police have continued to receive information as to potential sightings of Colleen.
“These are investigated, recorded, and sadly to date these have been discounted,” Supt Olsen said.
“We continue to engage with both Colleen’s family and also SA police providing updates as they come to light.”
Ms South is about 154cm tall, of solid build, and has brown hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a black-and-white striped shirt with blue jeans.
Police have released an image of Ms South and urge anyone who sights her or has information on her whereabouts to call Swan Hill police on 5036 1600.
