Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a woman believed to be in the Tuggerah Lakes area.
Melissa Reeves, aged 48, has been camping by herself for the past month in the Olney State Forest, west of Morriset.
She is an experienced camper and has good knowledge of the area, having spent many years camping in the forest.
Police have been told that on Saturday 20 January 2024, Melissa drove her vehicle from her campsite to get water, but her vehicle became bogged.
About 6.30am this morning, Melissa told a family member she was going walking in the forest to collect water. When the family member went to drop off food to Melissa’s campsite around midday, she was not there.
Officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police District were notified and immediately commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.
Police and family hold concerns for Melissa’s safety and welfare.
She is described as being of Caucasian appearance with a tanned complexion, about 165cm tall, of medium build, black hair and brown eyes.
Melissa was driving a white Toyota Hilux 2WD with NSW registration DF 24 KZ.
Late this afternoon, a search of the immediate area by officers from Tuggerah Lakes Police, with assistance from the Police Dog Squad, failed to locate Melissa.
A coordinated land search is planned for 8.30am tomorrow (Tuesday 23 January 2024) involving local police and the SES.
Anyone with information into Melissa’s whereabouts is urged to contact Tuggerah Lakes Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Anyone with information about this incident is urged 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.
