Police offer $200k reward to find body of mum on 'enormous' rural property
A $200,000 reward has been offered for information leading to the recovery of the body of a missing South Australian mum, who is believed to have been killed a year ago.
Twenty-three-year-old mother-of-two Tanja Ebert was reported missing by her husband and sister-in-law on August 10 last year, two days after she was last seen, police said on Monday.
A reward of $200,000 was announced for any information leading to the recovery of Ms Ebert’s remains, after her husband Michael Burdon, 41, shot himself dead at the couple’s Manna Hill property, north of Adelaide, on August 16.
Mr Burdon remains the only suspect in relation to her suspected murder, but investigators believe there are people in the community who know exactly what happened to Ms Ebert.
SA Police Major Crime Investigation Branch Detective Sergeant Paul Ward said officers have searched waterways, “sentimental locations” and buildings on the property but are yet to find the mum.
However, “everything leads us to believe she is there”, he said, adding the mum’s death is a tragedy.
“There are now two young boys who are orphaned and Tanja’s family in Germany have no place to visit, or body to lay to rest,” he said.
“And while her remains have not been found, Oulnina Park Station will always have a cloud over it.
“This property is enormous, (410 square kilometres), but everything leads us to believe she is there.”
Missing details in timeline of Michael Burdon’s movements
Det Sgt Ward added police believe people know how the 23-year-old died due to an established timeline of events.
“The investigation has been able to establish a timeline of certain events however there is a period of six to seven hours that we cannot account for Michael’s movements on 9 of August, plus a period of approximately 35-40 minutes on 8 August,” he said.
“As a result of our 12 month-long investigation, we suspect there are people that do know the circumstances of Tanja’s death.”
With AAP
Anyone with information about this matter is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the online reporting page.
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If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health call Lifeline on 13 11 14.
