DNA evidence unites two Victorian families searching for lost loved ones

Two Victorian families have been united after discovering their individual missions to find answers into their missing loved ones were linked.

Tamara Milograd, 15, disappeared in Victoria without a trace on September 18, 1971 and her family have spent the last 44 years searching for her in the hope that she was still alive somewhere.

In another search for answers, Victorian resident Corrina Russell had spent years unsuccessfully looking for her mother’s family after she was killed in a car accident in 1976.

In March this year, motivated by her mother’s birthday, Ms Russell picked up her search again and began began browsing the internet for leads.

Her search lead her to the AFP National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, where she found the unsolved missing persons case of Ms Milograd and was immediately struck by some remarkable coincidences.

Ms Milograd shared a birthday - March 6, 1956 - with Corrina’s mother.

Their fathers were both named Alexander and Pauline Russell’s middle name was Tammy, a possible abbreviation of Tamara.

Ms Russell then showed photos of Tamara to her family, who all agreed there was a strong resemblance.

After telling her local police she thought her mother was Ms Milograd, Ms Russell was put in touch with the Cold Case Missing Persons Squad.

DNA samples were taken from Ms Russell and Ms Milograd’s brother Nick, which confirmed Pauline Tammy Russell and Tamara Milograd were one and the same.

Cold Case Missing Person Squad’s Acting Detective Sergeant Peter Tasiopoulos said that telling Ms Milograd’s family was a bittersweet moment.

“Whilst it was sad informing the Milograd’s of Tamara’s death, it was nice to be able to deliver the news that Tamara had children and grandchildren that wanted to be part of their family,” he said.

“Being able to confirm that Corrina was their granddaughter and niece was pretty special for all of us involved and I hope it has helped the Milograds deal with the loss of Tamara.”