Grave fears for mother whose car has been found burnt
Victorian police have been left baffled by the mystery disappearance of a respected and much-loved mother of two whose burnt out car has been found near Wangaratta.
Karen Chetchuti was last seen at a pub in the town of Whorouly on Tuesday night.
The 49-year-old's car has since been found burnt, 20kilometres away.
Police are now urgently working to see if they can track her mobile phone.
The last images they have of Ms Chetchuti are of her shopping at her local supermarket on Tuesday afternoon.
She then went to have a drink alone at the Whorouly pub.
Her day and her demeanour seemed ordinary before she mysteriously vanished.
“The longer it goes the more grave the situation becomes in relation to her survival," Detective Sergeant Sol Soloman said.
Colleagues at Wangaratta council reported Karen missing on Wednesday after the mother of two failed to show up for work.
“This is completely out of character by her”, Det Sgt Solomon said.
“She is described by people who know her as being very punctual, efficient, she's very highly thought of.”
Police paid a visit to her home and found the lights were on inside and her purse and handbag were still there.
But more concerning, her car was gone.
The red Citroen sedan was found ablaze in the early hours of Thursday morning, 20km away at the end of Halls Road, Myrtleford, near a look out.
Police have focused their search in dense bushland on the outskirts of Myrtleford, surrounding the road where the car was found.
Homicide detectives and the missing persons unit also conducted a line search at Karen's home, assisted by the police air wing.
But so far, they have found nothing.
“I strongly suspect that there is someone or some others involved in this disappearance, yes,” Det Sgt Solomon said.
Ms Chetchuti’s was separated from her husband and her two teenage children stayed between her house and their dad's.
"Her children are completely distraught and very concerned about their mother and what may have happened to her," Det Sgt Solomon said.
Investigators are urging anyone who saw Karen's car this week or have any information about where she may be to get in touch with police.
