NSW Police are urging anyone with information to come forward as the search continues for Yvonne Whear, a 73-year-old woman who has not been seen or heard from since she was spotted at a service station in Murwillumbah more than a week ago, according to 9News.
Whear was last confirmed sighted at the Shell Service Station on Tweed Valley Way in Murwillumbah at approximately 3.15pm on Wednesday 19 February. Footage and records later established that her vehicle, a gold-coloured Ford Escape wagon bearing NSW registration EWS28P, was captured heading north on Queensland Road toward Dungay at around 3.22pm that same afternoon.
Authorities were not alerted to her disappearance until two days later, on 21 February, prompting an investigation into her whereabouts. Police initially believed the last sighting had occurred on the Wednesday at Dungay, but further inquiries confirmed the Shell service station sighting was in fact the most recent confirmed contact.
Whear is known to frequent both the Murwillumbah and Dungay areas of northern New South Wales. Her family has described the disappearance as entirely out of character, and NSW Police have stated they hold serious concerns for her welfare.
She is described as being of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, with grey-brown hair, standing approximately 154cm tall and of a medium to solid build. She may have a large scar on her right arm.
Anyone who has seen Whear, her gold Ford Escape wagon, or who has any information about her movements since 19 February is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or their nearest police station. Information can also be submitted online through the NSW Crime Stoppers website. Members of the public are reminded that they can provide information anonymously.
The Murwillumbah area sits in the Tweed Valley region of far northern NSW, close to the Queensland border. The Dungay locality lies a short distance to the north-west of the town centre. Police are asking residents across both communities, as well as travellers who may have passed through the area around that time, to check dashcam footage or any other recordings that could assist the investigation.
Missing persons cases involving elderly individuals are treated with particular urgency by police, given the potential for medical or welfare emergencies. The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre supports local police investigations of this nature and maintains records to assist in locating vulnerable adults across Australia.