Grim admission after 11 day search for 14yo
Police have made another plea in their desperate search for a 14-year-old Tasmanian girl who has been missing for nearly a fortnight, with a lead investigator admitting the chances of finding her alive were getting “slimmer”.
Shyanne-Lee Tatnell was last seen on about 8.30pm on Sunday April 30 near the North Esk River on Henry St in Launceston.
Police believe she was wearing a cream coloured hoodie with dark script on the chest and shoulders and bike shorts.
The teenager is described as being about 160cm tall, with a slim build and blonde hair.
On Thursday, Inspector Craig Fox said that while police did not suspect “foul play,” they were investigating all avenues.
“I’m confident she’s alive until we can prove otherwise,” he said.
“Everyone wants us to find Cheyenne alive. We’re practical, we know that the longer this goes on, those chances are getting slimmer and slimmer.”
Although Shyanne-Lee has made no contact since she was reported missing 11 days ago, police attempted to reach out to the teenager in the event she was listening.
“We won’t be leaving here until we are satisfied we’ve done all we can until Cheyenne is found,” he said.
Fellow police officer Commander Kate Chambers also asked the teen to come forward.
“I want to find Cheyenne, as does everyone here today and every member of our community,” said Commander Chambers.
“Cheyenne can hear me, please, you’re not in any trouble, please come forward. And let us know that you’re okay.”
The large-scale search has involved extensive investigations on both sides of the river, and on the surrounding private property.
Inspector Fox vowed to continue the search on Friday.
“We do have some more diving planned, and some special equipment to continue using, so that will continue tomorrow,” he said.
“Then after that we’ll make a decision through the through the hierarchy about the continuation of the search.”
On Wednesday, Inspector Fox said just “one small piece of information” could help police find her.
He made a specific appeal to “anyone who was driving a vehicle on Henry St in the vicinity of the North Esk River between the hours of 8pm and 9pm on Sunday”.
“If you were driving through this location in either direction at this time, please make contact with police.”
