THE search for a missing Wangaratta woman has extended into its third day, with local police continuing to search local waterways early this morning.
Police and SES crews were seen trawling through One Mile Creek, inspecting the foliage and surrounds as they worked their way north from White Street.
Dawitra, 20, was last seen at her Clark Street address at around 8pm on Wednesday evening, with the disappearance said to be out of character.
Sergeant Peter Mcguffie of Wangaratta Police said the woman, who is described as being of Indian Sub-Continental heritage and approximate 145cm tall with long black hair, was last seen in a long brown jumper and in bare feet, and may have been heading towards the creek area.
“We’ve requested the community to assist in checking their rear yards, garages and abandoned properties in the Wangaratta area,” he said.
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“SES has been assisting in ground searches, there’s been numerous door knocks – depending on her state of mind, we don’t know, she might be hiding and it’s quite an urban search – we’ve got to cover all angles.
“According to the family, she’s never done this before, we do have concerns for her welfare.”
Dawitra’s aunty and uncle, with whom she lives on Clark Street, made an appeal for the safe return of their niece, who moved to Australia only four years ago, and said she was a “very happy and very loving person.”
Sgt Mcguffie said police were not actively investigating foul play in Dawitra’s disappearance, and said search teams were continuing to treat the matter as a missing persons matter.
Anyone with information, particularly dashcam footage in the Clark, Edwards and Rowan street areas between 7:30 and 8:30pm on Wednesday night are urged to contact Wangaratta Police on 5723 0888 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
