Detectives visited the Avondale Heights home of Karen Ristevski’s family today at approx. 4.30pm to deliver the heartbreaking news that a body found in the Victorian bush was that of the missing mum.
The body, which was uncovered 52km away from where she was last seen, underwent forensic testing which led to positive identification this afternoon.
Ms. Ristevski disappeared from the Avondale Heights area in June – 236 days ago.
Her brother-in-law Vasko Ristevski, 56, told The Herald Sun back in August that Mrs Ristevski, 47, was experiencing tensions with her his brother’s ice addicted son, Anthony Rickard, and that may have motivated her to flee to China or the US.
“I reckon she’s run away. That’s my feeling, what with all the rumours going on about Anthony (Rickard),” he said.
“She’s been going overseas to America and Hong Kong each month for the past 10 years on business, and I’m told it’s fairly easy to get a false passport.”
Vasko Ristevski defended his brother and Karen’s husband, Borce, 52. He told the Herald Sun “a lot of husbands” kill their wives “but no way is Borce capable of that”.
Mrs Ristevski, who ran a boutique, was last seen leaving her Avondale Heights home on June 29 to “clear her head” after reportedly having a fight with her husband.
Searches for Ms. Ristevski resumed in December in the north west of Melbourne.
“I just want my mum to come home,” her daughter Sarah told the media at the time.
Our thoughts go out to her family.
