Monday 1 August 2022 01:06 AM Twist in case of missing woman Kathleen Riethmuller as it emerges she may be ... trends now
A new twist has emerged in the case of missing Brisbane woman Kathleen Riethmuller, who vanished from Sydney last October, with police revealing they believe she may be alive and living in Melbourne.
Kathleen Riethmuller, 28, (pictured) has been missing since she mysteriously vanished from Sydney's northern suburbs last October
As part of Missing Persons Week, NSW Police have made a new appeal to find Ms Riethmuller, who walked into Elephant Backpackers in the inner Sydney suburb of Woolloomooloo on October 28 to make a booking to stay the night - which she would never fulfil.
She abruptly left reception without first visiting her room before heading to Sydney's north, where she was last seen on security footage visiting shops before walking along a busy road.
Hours later, Ms Riethmuller's belongings including her ID and bank cards were found abandoned 7km away in a backpack in a street at Lane Cove, while her phone was discovered by another member of the public in a neighbouring suburb.
Ms Riethmuller had shopped at Artarmon about 11.40am on October 28 and was sighted again at 2.30pm the same day in North Sydney wearing a long sleeve denim dress and black flat shoes.
Police now suspect the 28-year-old may be alive and possibly living in Melbourne.
NSW Police Minister Paul Toole said officers want to find Ms Riethmuller to ensure she is safe and well.
'The ripple effect that occurs when a person goes missing without reason or without a trace shouldn't be underestimated,' Mr Toole said on Monday.
Missing Persons Registry Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Glen Browne, said police need new information to find Ms Riethmuller.
