Tasmania’s largest police operation ever undertaken in the north of the state is currently underway, as authorities work to find a missing 14-year-old teenager last seen in April.
Shyanne-Lee Tatnell disappeared on April 30th near the North Esk River on Henry Street in Launceston while heading to a friend’s house.
READ MORE: Remains found in search for missing Tasmanian teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell
Today, a team of about 160 search and rescue personnel are scouring the North Esk River in Launceston and bushland near Nabowla in Northern Tasmania ‘based on information received’.
Northern District Commander Kate Chambers said the focus of the operation is a vast area of bushland covering more than 50 square kilometres in the rural Nabowla region, while a specialist NSW Police cadaver dog was being used to scour the North Esk River.
“NSW Police dog handler Senior Constable Chris Hill and a five-year-old cadaver detection dog will be taking part in a search of the North Esk River today in the vicinity of where Shyanne-Lee was last seen,” Commander Chambers said.
This extensive search and rescue mission involves 20 trained search and rescue personnel, 20 State Emergency Service volunteers, helicopter resources, volunteers on horseback, motorbikes, ATVs, drones, and over 100 Tasmania Police recruits.
The operation is the largest of its kind ever conducted in Northern Tasmania.
Detective Acting Inspector Andrew Hanson said Police have conducted multiple searches since 30 April, however no trace of the teenager has been found.
“We’ve searched the North Esk River several times – utilising helicopters and ground search and rescue crews, with the help of volunteers on foot, horseback and ATVs,” Hanson said.
“Our investigative team has spent considerable time scouring CCTV, interviewing witnesses, and meticulously following up every lead.”
“The Tasmanian community has been fantastic and provided several important pieces of information to police. Each and every one has been thoroughly followed up,” he said.
The latest searches are expected to last for several days.
Anyone who may have information in relation to Shyanne-Lee’s location or movements is urged to contact Police.
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