Yvonne Whear’s Car Recovered After Seven Months Missing

Police divers recovered a gold Ford Escape wagon in the Rous River at Dulguigan on September 12. The vehicle was located a short distance from Whear’s home in the hamlet of Dungay, near Dungay Creek Road. Police confirmed the car is undergoing forensic examination, including a review of its mechanical components. Several personal items believed to belong to Whear were also retrieved, but the missing-person investigation remains open.

The Guardian

Whear, 73, was last captured on CCTV on February 19 buying orange juice and adding $50 credit to her phone at a Shell service station in Murwillumbah. She then drove toward her hobby farm through cane fields. At 8.30 pm that evening a passerby reported seeing the parked Escape on Dungay Creek Road, lights off, less than a kilometre from her residence. Her boots, hat, and folded clothing were still in the house, a slow-cooker contained food, and her phone pinged at 10 am the following morning from a tower covering the area where the car was later found.

The Guardian

Police have not disclosed any sign of foul play, but the ongoing forensic work aims to determine whether the vehicle’s condition points to an accident, tampering, or other causes.

The Guardian

Gillian Hallac, Whear’s daughter, expressed devastation and gratitude to Sun State Search, NSW water police, the specialist dive team, Tweed Heads police, and local recovery services.

The Guardian

• “She’s the type of person who would let you know if she was unhappy,” — Gillian Hallac

The Guardian