Mum’s ‘suspicious’ disappearance declared a major crime

The disappearance of a mother-of-two three weeks after her car was found abandoned in a remote countryside has been declared a major crime.

South Australian Major Crime detectives have outlined the last known movements of 41-year-old Andamooka woman Trisha Graf, who was found perched on an earthen mound near a dam in Ford County on December 12.

Ms. Graf left the Roxby Downs Hotel in her car with a friend at 12:19 a.m. on December 12.

While heading towards Andamooka, the vehicle collided with a kangaroo and was damaged. They continued their journey and visited a home in Andamooka.

Ms. Graf left home just before 2 a.m. to travel the short distance to her home and was last seen driving along Dunstan Road in Andamooka.

Just after noon on December 12, Ms. Graf’s partner and a friend found her car abandoned and undrivable near Blue Dam, east of town.

Police conducted an extensive search of the area, including the dam, using special drones.

“No remains or trace of Trisha were found during these searches,” Major Crime Detective Inspector Darren Fielke said in a statement on Tuesday.

“This is a highly unusual situation and particularly out of character for her. Police are currently treating Trisha’s disappearance as suspicious and we have serious concerns for her welfare.”

Ms. Graf lives in Andamooka with her husband and two young children.

Supt Fielke said she was a “very good mother” and her home was in “pristine condition”.

“It is out of character for him not to communicate with his children, not to communicate with his partner. His bank accounts are untouched,” he said.

A forensic examination was performed on the vehicle.

“Her thongs were found with her vehicle and if she had moved a short distance away we would have expected to locate her,” Supt Fielke said.

“(Declaring the disappearance a capital crime) will allow more expert resources to be used to both determine what happened to Trisha and find her.”

Detectives spoke with Andamooka and Roxby Downs locals as well as several people known to Ms. Graf.

“We are still seeking information from individuals who were at the Roxby Downs Hotel with Trisha shortly before her disappearance and individuals who saw her after she returned to Andamooka,” Supt Fielke said.

Anyone with information about Ms. Graf’s disappearance is asked to contact police.