Mom of 2 Was Last Seen Driving in Remote Area 3 Weeks Ago. Police Now Say Her Disappearance is ‘Suspicious’ and a ‘Major Crime’

The disappearance of an Australian woman has now been classified as a major crime, as police say the circumstances surrounding her vanishing appear suspicious.

On Tuesday, Jan. 6, South Australia Police confirmed in a press release that 41-year-old Trisha Graf was last seen driving along Dunstan Drive in Andamooka — a remote town about 385 miles north of Adelaide — at approximately 2:00 a.m. on Dec. 12.

“Following just over three weeks of intensive investigations and extensive ground and air searches, detectives believe Trisha’s disappearance is suspicious,” authorities stated.

Police said Graf had been at the Roxby Downs Hotel at 12:19 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 12, before leaving a short time later. She was driving a white 2012 Ford Territory with South Australian registration S254BCX and was accompanied by a friend.

Graf, a mother of two according to news.com.au, 9News, and Australian outlet The Nightly, was involved in a collision with a kangaroo after departing the hotel and traveling from Roxby Downs toward Andamooka. Police said the crash occurred near the Andamooka township.

After the collision, Graf and her friend continued into Andamooka, where they visited a residence in the town’s north-western area. Police said Graf left the home shortly before 2:00 a.m. to make the short drive to her own residence. She was last seen driving along Dunstan Drive.

Graf’s partner and a friend began searching for her around midday on Dec. 12. Later, they located her Ford Territory perched on a dirt mound near the Blue Dam east of Andamooka.

“The vehicle had accident damage caused by the collision with the kangaroo and was unable to be driven because of its location on the dirt mound,” police said.

Authorities, along with the State Emergency Service, carried out initial ground and aerial searches in the area. Members of the Andamooka community also joined search efforts, with police divers assisting.

Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke, officer in charge of the Major Crime Investigation Branch, said investigators have serious concerns for Graf’s welfare.

“Since Trisha was last seen there have been significant investigations and several detailed, thorough searches conducted in an effort to locate her,” Fielke said.

He added that Graf’s thongs (sandals) were found near her vehicle, noting, “We would have expected to locate her if she had simply wandered off a short distance.”

Fielke said declaring the case a major crime will allow additional specialist resources to be deployed to determine what happened and to locate Graf.

Police continue to appeal for information from anyone who was with Graf at the Roxby Downs Hotel shortly before her disappearance or who may have seen her after she returned to Andamooka.