Mother-of-five Lorrin Whitehead vanished on February 8, 2013 and police have now focused their search on a dam where intelligence they received said she could potentially be
A dam has been drained by police in a bid to find a missing woman who vanished after she entered her car sparking a 12-year-long mystery.
Lorrin Whitehead vanished from her home in Bannockburn, southwest of Melbourne, Australia, after she was last seen leaving her home at about 4.40pm on February 8, 2013. The mother-of-five was then last spotted on CCTV at a supermarket after she bought a bottle of water, card and a pen at about 4:50pm.
A witness reported having seen the 42-year-old enter the driver’s seat of a red 4WD in central Bannockburn. It was the last time she was seen by anyone.
Her disappearance was described as being extremely out of character and her bank account remained untouched since. Her work phone was also found at her home, which further raised concerns.
But detectives have now started searching a farm in Dereel, several miles north of Bannockburn. An excavator was brought to the location to help with the operation with police adding the search was based on intelligence that her remains could potentially be in the area.
Footage from the renewed search was released today and photos of Lorrin were also shared, including a digital image that showed what she might look like now.
Detective Sergeant Steve Murphy of the Moorabool Crime Investigation Unit said in a statement shared via a release today: “Next week will mark 12 years since Lorrin disappeared without a trace. We are thankful for each new piece of information provided to us by the public and ensure to dutifully investigate every tip.
“Lorrin’s family and friends have spent more than a decade not knowing what happened to Lorrin and we want to provide them with some answers. We know there is someone out there who has information that can assist us in working out exactly what happened to Lorrin and provide closure to her loved ones and the tight-knit community of Bannockburn.
“Our team will continue to follow up every new piece of information we receive until Lorrin is found.”
Lorrin was described as being 5ft 5ins when she vanished, of medium build, having brown eyes and brown hair. She was wearing black pants and a light-coloured shirt with a collar when she was last seen.
She also had a medical condition and it is believed that she left without her medication.
Anyone with information regarding Lorrin’s disappearance is urged contact Crime Stoppers at (+61) 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
