Remains found in bushland confirmed to be Karen Ristevski
Police have confirmed human remains found at Mount Macedon parkland on Monday are that of missing Melbourne woman Karen Ristevski.
Detectives had arrived at the Ristevski family home in Avondale Heights on Tuesday afternoon to break the news, and made no comment to media as they left the property.
"Police can confirm the human remains found at Mount Macedon yesterday are that of missing Avondale Heights, woman Karen Ristevski," a police spokesperson said.
"Investigators received the results following forensic testing this afternoon."
The decomposing human remains were found by a bushwalker on Monday, with a large police presence moving in to the scene.
A team of more than 20 SES volunteers began a line search across bushland near a dirt road at Mount Macedon Regional Park at 10.30am Tuesday.
Volunteers combed about a kilometre of rugged bushland before wrapping up just after 2pm.
"I'm just glad they found her remains, but it's still horrible to have something like this happen anywhere," nearby resident Melva Edwards said.
"It was terrible because it is such a nice quiet place up here," resident Lyn Middleton added.
Another walker who frequents the bushland where Karen's body was found said he had noticed a smell while taking his dogs through.
"About six or eight months ago, every time I'd come down with the dogs, one of the dogs would actually stop in this position most of the time," Ian Flannery said.
Missing Persons Squad detectives are now appealing for anyone that may have been walking along the dirt track off Loch Road or anyone that may have seen any vehicles to contact them.
"Investigators are also hoping to speak to anyone that may have been at Mount Macedon any time from June last year and took photos or any video footage in the area," a police spokesperson said.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Earlier on Tuesday, SES North West regional manager Mal Ross said his units weren't expected to return to the bushland on Wednesday.
"That's it now. We've covered the area that police were initially looking at so at this stage we've finished," he told AAP.
The crime scene was cleared and the site, around 60km north of Melbourne, reopened to the public on Tuesday afternoon.
The body was found about 25 kilometres from where police had previously searched for missing Ms Ristevski, who was last seen in June 2016.
THE SEARCH FOR KAREN RISTEVSKI
Karen Ristevski was last seen at her Avondale Heights home about 10am on June 29
The 47-year-old was the owner of the Bella Bleu boutique in Taylors Lakes
She has not used her phone or bank accounts since she went missing
Ms Ristevski is 160cm tall, with a slim build and shoulder length brown hair
Her husband Borce was questioned by police but released
Ms Ristevski's step-son Anthony was interviewed over the disappearance but denied killing her, despite saying he was angry over a family dispute
Police searched the Maribyrnong River and grassland near the Ristevski's home
They also drained dams and searched the same road where Adrian Bayley buried Jill Meagher.
On February 20, human remains found at Mt Macedon, about 25km from where police were searching for Ms Ristevski
Forensic tests confirm body belongs to Karen Ristevski on February 21.
