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Missing mum's husband told family evil stranger abducted his wife

Missing Melbourne mother Karen Ristevski’s husband has told family members his wife was abducted by a stranger.

The Herald Sun reports Borce Ristevski has told family members he thinks an evil stranger is behind his wife’s disappearance from Avondale Heights on June 29.

The paper said Borce’s theory was revealed as another family member, Patricia Gray, said she believed the 47-year-old woman had been murdered and “discarded like a piece of rubbish.”

Karen Ristevski, 47, vanished almost two months ago. Photo: 7 News
Karen Ristevski, 47, vanished almost two months ago. Photo: 7 News

Karen Ristevski has not been seen since she left the family’s home on June 29.

A massive police search has been underway ever since but Ms Gray said theories like Borce’s, and statements from Karen’s son Andrew Rickard had turned the tragic situation into “a circus”.

“Someone has done something to her... we need to find out where Karen has been discarded like a piece of rubbish,” Ms Gray said, according to News Corp.


Mobile phone data shows the couple's phones were both detected by transmitter towers on Melbourne's Calder Highwayon the day Mrs Ristevski vanished, the Herald Sun reported.

Mrs Ristevski's mobile phone was reportedly tracked near Gisborne, 40km northwest of the family home in Avondale Heights, while her husband's was tracked on the same highway, at Diggers Rest, about 20km northwest of the home.

It was also reported that Mr Ristevski's phone was switched off for about two hours that day.

Borce Ristevski, the husband of Karen Ristevski and their daughter, Sarah, leave a press conference after pleading for information. Photo: AAP
Borce Ristevski, the husband of Karen Ristevski and their daughter, Sarah, leave a press conference after pleading for information. Photo: AAP

When quizzed by detectives on his whereabouts the day his wife disappeared, the missing woman's husband said he had forgotten to mention he had driven Mrs Ristevski's car that day.

He reportedly told police the fuel gauge of Karen's 2004 Mercedes-Benz coupe was playing up so he wanted to test it out on the Calder.

Mr Ristevski claimed the fault corrected itself when he hit a bump on the highway, so he then returned home.

Police searched bushland at Barmah National Park. Source: 7News
Police searched bushland at Barmah National Park. Source: 7News

Police on Thursday focused their search for the missing mother to rural areas northwest of Melbourne. Residents were asked to check for "any changes or any suspicious activity" since the woman's disappearance.

The search has focused on a former Ristevski family holiday spot at Barmah National Park in the State's north multiple times, with police now turning their attention to the park's bushland.

"Police have searched a number of locations across Victoria however their focus remains in the rural area to the northwest of Melbourne," a police spokeswoman said in a statement on Thursday.

The appeal for help followed media reports on Wednesday that police were searching the Murray River at Barmah.

The mobile phones of Karen Ristevski and her husband were both tracked to the Calder Highway the day she went missing. Picture: 7 News
The mobile phones of Karen Ristevski and her husband were both tracked to the Calder Highway the day she went missing. Picture: 7 News

The Maribyrnong River, west of Melbourne has also been searched on at least two occasions since Ms Ristevski's June disappearance.

Karen Ristevski's bank accounts and mobile phone have not been used since, leading police to hold serious concerns for her welfare.

The police search for Karen remains firmly focused on Victoria, with no evidence the missing mother had left the state or travelled overseas.

Police released these items, which are similar to her belongings, in the hope that someone may have information on her current whereabouts. Photo: Victoria Police
Police released these items, which are similar to her belongings, in the hope that someone may have information on her current whereabouts. Photo: Victoria Police

She is described as 160cm tall, slim build, with shoulder-length brown hair.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.