'I'm living every parent's nightmare - my child has been missing for a month'

04 June 2023 , 03:31
1075     0
Bobbi-Lee Ketchell
Bobbi-Lee Ketchell's daughter Shyanne-Lee Tatnell (l) has been missing for a month (Image: Tasmania Police)

A desperate mum says she is living "every parent's worst nightmare" after her daughter went missing a month ago.

Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, 14, has been missing since April 30 when she was last seen crossing a bridge in Launceston, Tasmania.

Mum-of-four Bobbi-Lee Ketchell, 34, says she has barely been able to sleep or eat and Shyanne-Lee hasn't used her bank card or social media accounts since her disappearance.

Mrs Ketchell, who also has three sons aged 16, 10 and 4, is clinging to the hope that her daughter is still alive but fears the worst.

Authorities say the teenager may have been taken against her will.

Nicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost' qhiqquiqediqxqinvNicola Bulley's children 'cried their eyes out' after being told 'mummy's lost'

Police have searched the North Esk River but found no clues and are still trying to trace three vehicles caught on CCTV around the time Shyanne-Lee disappeared.

'I'm living every parent's nightmare - my child has been missing for a month'Tasmania Police are trying to trace three vehicles seen around the time Shyanne-Lee disappeared (Tasmania Police)

Mrs Ketchell told the Mercury: "I'm living every parent's worst nightmare, but all I can do is pray she's safe and comes home into my arms."

The "funny, outgoing and compassionate" Shyanne-Lee was living at an at risk youth centre last and was last at home with her mum two months before she went missing.

Mrs Ketchell spoke to her daughter on the phone the night before she went missing and the pair had an argument about Shyanne-Lee, who has behavioural problems and suffers from depression, breaking rules to leave the centre.

She said: "The last thing I did was tell her I love her. She didn't say it back. It was the last time I heard her voice."

'I'm living every parent's nightmare - my child has been missing for a month'Shyanne-Lee was last seen crossing a bridge in Launceston, Tasmania (Tasmania Police)
'I'm living every parent's nightmare - my child has been missing for a month'Shyanne-Lee was living at an at risk youth centre (Tasmania Police)

Preparing herself for the worst, Mrs Ketchell added she has "a gut feeling she is no longer with us".

Following the search of the river on May 12, Inspector Craig Fox said: "Police have today continued their search in the North Esk River, but unfortunately there has been no sighting of Shyanne-Lee.

"We will continue with planned policing activities over the weekend; however, we are confident that based on current information we have thoroughly searched the North Esk River area around where Shyanne-Lee was last seen.

"As is normal practice, an independent review of the search grid will be conducted, and further air and water searches may be conducted next week with an expanded search grid.

"This has been an extensive search and I thank everyone for their assistance, including Tasmania SES members, volunteers, and members of the community.

Mum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dogMum appeared 'completely normal' moments before vanishing while walking dog

"I'll urge anyone who has information on Shyanne-Lee’s location or movements to come forward. Any piece of information, even small, may be what we need to find Shyanne-Lee.

"If you were in the area of Henry Street, Launceston, near the North Esk River, around 8.30pm on Sunday 30 April, and you haven’t already spoken to police, please come forward.”

"Again, I remind Shyanne-Lee that if she is out there, and if she’s scared to come forward for fear of being in trouble, I reassure her she is not in trouble, and we all want to know she is ok."

Katie Mansfield

Print page

Comments:

comments powered by Disqus