THE mystery of what happened to Ballarat woman Kobie Parfitt will last at least another day after investigators failed to uncover any trace of the 43-year-old, despite a search of rugged bushland near Snake Valley on Monday.
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Ms Parfitt, a mother of four, was last seen in April of this year, but was not reported missing until a couple of months ago as she was estranged from her family. It is believed Ms Parfitt could have been missing for more than six months.
On Monday, a group of about 10 uniformed and plain-clothes police officers scoured bushland alongside the Pittong-Snake Valley Road in a hope of finding some clue as to what happened to Ms Parfitt.
However, as of late Monday afternoon, the search, which covered a 2km area between Homestead Road and Madden Flat Road had failed to turn up any information.
Snake Valley locals The Courier spoke to said they were shocked that a big search such as this was happening was close to their township.
A Pittong-Snake Valley Road resident, who asked not to be named, said it was a little scary knowing something untoward may have occurred so close to home.
"It's a sad situation for everyone, so I thought I'd come out and give some help, see if they needed extra eyes on the ground and do my bit to help settle this," he said.
"It's incredibly rough terrain. You've got dams and mineshafts and quarries, really thick bush, it's quite hilly.
"I've done a lot of motorbike riding out here, I know the area well, so I thought I'd come out and give everyone a hand if I could."
Owner of the Snake Valley general store Vanessa Merriman said she did not know what was happening until she saw police heading to town.
"I didn't know anything was happening until I saw the big blue truck go past this morning which I assumed was police," she said.
"It would be a sad day if something like this was to be true. It's too nice a country town to be tainted with something like this."
Another local said that while she would hate to think something terrible had happened in the small country town, it was important to bring closure to Ms Parfitt's family as to the disappearance of their daughter.
Detectives have already searched a number of properties and spoken to a number of people in relation to the disappearance
They have been able to confirm Kobie was last seen alive at a property on Hickman Street on April 28. However they have confirmed that she is believed to be dead.
Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper of the Missing Persons Squad said police believed they were closing in on those responsible for Kobie's death.
"We have returned to the area a number of times as part of this investigation and will continue to return each time we receive new information," he said.
"We know she was last seen alive at a property in Hickman Street on April 28 however we are still yet to locate her body.
"Again, we're asking anyone with information regarding Kobie's disappearance or who knows who is responsible for her death, to speak to police."
At 5pm, police media released a statement saying "Today's search in Snake Valley as part of the investigation into the disappearance of Kobie Parfitt has concluded and there are no updates. Detectives from the Missing Persons Squad will continue the search in the area tomorrow."
Police are expected to continue with the search during the week.
Investigators are urging anyone with any information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
