The husband of a woman missing in the Yass River area since last Sunday in freezing conditions is extremely concerned for her welfare.
Tina Quinn, 34, was last seen at the property she lived at about 10:30 am on Sunday (16 July).
Her husband of 13 years Adrian Quinn said he had contact with Tina on Sunday afternoon and early evening via text message but by late evening could not contact her.
“By Monday afternoon, I called the police,” he said. “I was away working interstate at the time and returned on the next available flight.”
“I’m pleading for anyone who may have seen Tina or her (white LandCruiser) four-wheel drive anywhere, if anyone has given her any assistance, if they picked her up on the road please contact the police,” Mr Quinn said.
“Tina, if you are listening to this you are not in trouble,” he said. “Our friends and relatives need to know you are safe.”
The chilly weather has heightened his concerns and he did not know whether she was dressed for the elements.
Tina is described as being of African appearance, about 175 cm tall, of thin build, with light brown hair, light brown eyes and a tattoo of three five-pointed stars on the back of her neck.
Detective Chief Inspector Brendan Bernie said: “We do have grave concerns for her welfare if she has been left out in the elements and that is part of our appeal today to anyone with information.”
He said the Police Diving Unit had joined the search – which had included helicopters, SES and Rural Fire Service – and were checking dams in the area where she was last seen.
He said the Quinns lived in rented premises on a 10-acre property, where police had seized her four-wheel-drive for forensic examination.
“We are also exploring the avenue perhaps she has left the premises and gone somewhere else,” Detective Bernie said. Ms Quinn had also been known to frequent the Yass CBD as well as parts of Canberra for shopping, he said.
Mr Quinn described his wife as a very gentle person, an artist who was preparing to study mathematics and cyber security.
“We would stay on the property, attend to our sheep, otherwise she would drive the vehicle. It is a remote area and the roads don’t lend themselves to walking,” he said.
“The family are overseas and they have been in contact with me constantly and they are also extremely concerned.”
He said Tina grew up in Germany.
“I don’t know what the laws are there, in Australia it is not an offence to be a missing person, but I don’t know if that is the case in Germany,” he said. “I just want to make sure she realises that because police are looking for her, that it is not that she is in trouble.”
Detective Bernie said anybody with information or who had seen Mrs Quinn should ring Yass Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Help so far from the community via SMS geo-tagging and Facebook geo-tagging was greatly appreciated.