‘Robbed of her life’: Family of beloved great-grandmother demands answers as murder investigation launched
The family of a beloved great-grandmother whose body was found in a livestock dip in rural NSW say they are “devastated and horrified” by the tragic discovery.
Yvonne Whear, 73, was last spotted at the Shell Service Station on Tweed Valley Way at Murwillumbah on February 19 with her family calling her disappearance “out of character”.
Authorities confirmed on Tuesday that the body belonged to the 73-year-old grandmother. NSW Police
Police searched the area extensively with drones, helicopters, police boats with sonar equipment, trail bikes and officers in cars and on foot.
Detectives first theorised that the 73-year-old was involved in an accident while driving on snaking roads through the Northern Rivers, however concerns persisted as police still could not find Whear or her car.
On September 12, officers searched the Rous River following information about a vehicle potentially detected on the riverbed.
Whear’s SUV was recovered from the river during the search; however, she was not inside.
Her personal belongings were also found inside the car, mobile phone data showed that she watched YouTube videos the afternoon of her disappearance and checked her voicemail just before 5pm that day.
Whear’s phone was last detected by a phone tower near Dungay, in NSW’s north-east, a day after her disappearance and had not been seen since.
Last Monday, a body was discovered by two trail bike riders in half a metre of water in a deeply decomposed state at a Terragon property, 20 kilometres south of where she was last seen.
It was confirmed on Tuesday morning the body was that of the missing grandmother.
First responders at the rural property in Terragon last week, after the body was discovered. Nine
In a statement, Yvonne’s family said they are carrying unimaginable grief and unanswered questions following her death.
“Our mum, Yvonne Whear, was a much-loved mother of three, grandmother of 10 and great-grandmother of one,” they said.
Yvonne Whear, 73, Facebook/@FindYvonne
“She was a friend to many and an asset to her community. Our family are devastated and horrified by this news.
“Not only has she been robbed of her life, her children and grandchildren now all face the horrific trauma of this callous inhumane act.
“While whoever is responsible for this is still out there in the community.
“We urgently appeal to anyone who may have seen something, heard something, or has any information, no matter how small, to come forward and assist police.
“Please put yourself in our shoes. If this were your mum or grandmother, you would want answers too.
“Yvonne deserves justice. Our family deserves answers. Please help us bring the truth to light.”
Whear’s daughter, Gillian Hallac, who stayed in regular contact with her mother, grew concerned after she had not heard from her in two days.
In August, Hallac said the uncertainty during the search for her mother was “overwhelming”.
“I miss her advice, her voice, her presence.
“It’s the everyday moments that hurt the most – the ones we never thought we’d lose,” Hallac said.
Whear lived on a small hobby farm in Dungay and travelled frequently to the larger town of Murwillumbah, less than 10 minutes away.
The family have previously told media that the day she was last seen she had attended an art class at TAFE.
Whear’s Ford Escape was recovered in September, one month before her body was found. NSW Police
Investigations into her disappearance remain ongoing, with police announcing that a homicide investigation is now under way.
Acting Superintendent Matt Zimmer said authorities remain determined to find those responsible for the 73-year-old’s death.
Yvonne Whear was captured on CCTV at the Shell service station on Tweed Valley Way in Murwillumbah at about 3.15pm on February 19. NSW Police
“Yvonne was a mother, grandmother, a great-grandmother and a person who was clearly loved by those around her,” he said.
“While we can now provide some answers to her family, there are still significant questions about what happened to her and how she came to be where she was found.
He said that “someone knows what happened to Yvonne” and is urging anyone with information to come forward.
“Even the smallest piece of information could prove crucial as we work to establish the circumstances surrounding her death and hold those responsible to account,” he said.
“Yvonne’s family has endured many months of uncertainty, and they deserve answers. We are committed to pursuing every line of inquiry and urge anyone who can assist to contact police.”
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