Police are re-appealing for information as the search continues to locate a Northern Rivers woman who was last seen in the state's north four years ago.
In October 2020, Elizabeth Forman, aged 75, was last seen going for a walk at a property on Friday Hut Road in Brooklet, about 20km north of Ballina.
She was last seen walking on the property about 11.40am Thursday 1 October 2020.
Police held serious concerns for Elizabeth's welfare given her dementia and officers from Richmond Police District – along with the SES, RFS, and local volunteers – searched the area for three days, unfortunately finding no sign of Elizabeth.
At the time, witnesses reported seeing a woman matching Elizabeth's description on Ocean Drive, Alstonville - about 20km southwest of where she was last seen - around 6.30pm on Friday 2 October 2020.
Police searched this area as well but found no signs of Elizabeth.
Elizabeth is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with a thin build and dyed short blue hair. She was wearing a navy-blue top and black pants at the time of her disappearance.
Elizabeth has not been seen or heard from since and, as inquiries continue into her whereabouts, her family and police are urging anyone that may have been in the area at the time and may have seen a woman matching this description, to contact police.
Detective Inspector Ritchie Sim, Manager of the Missing Person Registry, said finding Elizabeth remains a priority for the NSW Police.
"Elizabeth is one of the many vulnerable missing people our detectives are still looking for across the state.
"Every day police receive reports that a person living with dementia, or some other form of memory loss, has gone missing and every single one of those missing people become of a priority for us to find." Det Insp Sim said.
"Detectives are still searching for Elizabeth with the hope this reappeal will shake lose memories of those in the area at the time she disappeared.
"I also want to urge the public to keep an eye on your loved ones who are vulnerable. Check in on them regularly and know the areas they are known to frequent in case they ever do go missing." Det Insp Sim.
Missing Persons Week is an annual national campaign to showcase missing persons and unidentified bodies and human remains cases and raise awareness of the issues and impacts surrounding these incidents. Missing Persons Week runs between Sunday 28 July and Saturday 3 August 2024.
This year's 'Always Searching' campaign focuses on the dedication and continuing efforts of police to solve missing persons investigations.
If you have been reported as missing it means that someone is concerned about your safety and welfare. You should attend the nearest police station with identification so that Police can ascertain that you are safe and well. It is not a crime to go missing and Police will respect your privacy if you don't wish to disclose your location to your family.
For more information on the campaign visit www.missingpersons.gov.au
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information that may assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
