'May never be solved': Disappearance of Melbourne mum Karen Ristevski could become cold case
The mysterious disappearance of Melbourne mother Karen Ristevski could turn into a cold case, and may never be solved, investigators have said.
According to the Weekend Australian, former homicide investigator Charlie Bezzina said it is likely the Melbourne mum's disappearance could turn into a ‘cold case’.
"Once all avenues of inquiry have been exhausted, it becomes a waiting game," he said.
"Once you have spoken to all the family, all the friends, so forth and so on, the time comes when there is a line in the sand."
Karen Ristevski, 47, was last seen at her Avondale Heights home in Melbourne's northwest more than one month ago.
She reportedly walked out of the home on June 29 to get some fresh air following an argument over financial issues with her husband, Borce Ristevski.
“It’s out of the ordinary," detective inspector Stephen Dennis told the Weekend Australian.
"It’s a matter of public record that they had an argument and she left the house to go and clear her head."
Prior to Mrs Ristevski's disappearance last month, she and her husband had reportedly run into money difficulties.
Both Ms Ristevski’s husband and son in-law have been questioned by police over her disappearance.
"“He’s just another person we’ve spoken to," Inspector Dennis said of Ms Ristevski's husband.
"Keep in mind, he says to us he’s the last person to see her leave the house," he added.
When approached by an Australian reporter earlier this week, Mr Borce slammed the gate of his home in their face.
"Let me tell you something — you can’t even get your facts right," he said.
Claims have also emerged Ms Ristevski planned to leave her husband prior to her disappearance.
The Ristevski family are the owners of clothing store Bella Bleu boutiques, and had been in about $600,000 debt for the last decade.
According to the Daily Mail, this fact was kept hidden from the Ristevski's staff members.
Belle Bleu employee Amanda Elrabat told the Weekend Australian that Mrs Ristevski was "always happy and bubbly".
"She treated regular customers like friends," Ms Elrabat said.
"She is an amazing boss: generous, caring, loving. She treated us (staff) like we were daughters."
Of Mr Ristevski, Ms Elrabat said he was an "amazing person".
"He was always in here with her and helping her, even on quiet days," she said.
Last week, Ms Ristevski's estranged step-son, Anthony Rickard, told the Herald Sun he denied killing his step-mother, despite feeling anger over a long-running family dispute.
The 32-year-old said he was questioned by police over her disappearance.
When asked if he had killed his step-mother, the newspaper reported Mr Rickard admitted he "would have liked to" but wasn't prepared to go to jail for it.
Last week, police launched a new search of the Maribyrnong River, hopeful of finding the 47-year-old’s body.
Officers had previously searched the river, but the new search started near the Anglers Tavern after a tip off from the public.
The river location is about five kilometres from where Ms Ristevski was last seen.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
