The body of a woman discovered partially submerged in a stock dip on a rural NSW property has been identified as Yvonne Whear, the 73-year-old Northern Rivers woman last seen in Murwillumbah almost eight months ago.
Whear’s body was discovered in an advanced state of decomposition at a Terragon property 20 kilometres south of Murwillumbah, near the Queensland border, by two trail bike riders last week, finding the body partially submerged in half a metre of water.
Forensic and post-mortem examinations over the past week determined the identity of the body, announced to the public on Tuesday morning.
Whear was last seen on February 19, when security cameras captured her driving north on Queensland Road at Murwillumbah towards her hobby farm on the outskirts of Dungay, near the interstate border, about 3.20pm.
Mobile phone data shows she watched YouTube videos that afternoon, and just before 5pm, checked her voicemail.
Her phone was last detected by a phone tower near Dungay at 10am on February 20, and hasn’t been seen since.
Whear lived on her farm surrounded by her animals, which included ducks, chickens, dogs, rabbits and cats.
She kept in regular touch with her family, including daughter Gillian Hallac, who grew concerned for her mother’s welfare after she failed to make contact for two days.
Detectives initially suspected Whear met with misadventure while driving on snaking roads through the Northern Rivers, though concerns grew as police searches uncovered no signs of the woman or her gold Ford Escape SUV.
Drones and helicopters searched for Whear from the air, while police divers scoured the Rous and Tweed rivers.
There was a breakthrough in the search for Whear last month, when investigators found the woman’s car in the Rous River less than 10 kilometres from her property.
The SUV was recovered from the water, and forensically and mechanically examined. Personal belongings believed to belong to Whear were also recovered.
Whear was engaged in a long-running dispute involving the lease agreement over the farm she rented for 23 years. She was due to appear in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal the week after she vanished.
There is no suggestion the proceedings are related to Whear’s disappearance, nor is anyone involved in them accused of any wrongdoing.
Hallac, speaking to this publication in August, said despite the legal proceedings, Whear had no reason to leave her life behind. Her mother was employed as a disability support worker, and was undertaking an art course at TAFE.
“She had a life with plans and responsibilities and people who loved her,” Hallac said. “We don’t believe she had any ordinary reasons to leave the property that evening.”
Anyone with information that could assist police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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