Advertisement

Husband main suspect in Karen Ristevski murder probe: lawyer

Borce Ristevski (centre right) the husband of missing Melbourne woman Karen Ristevski and their daughter, Sarah, at a press conference in mid July.

Borce Ristevski (centre right) the husband of missing Melbourne woman Karen Ristevski and their daughter, Sarah, at a press conference in mid July. Photo: AAP

Police have reportedly seized a dirty shovel from Karen Ristevski’s family home as her husband’s lawyer admits his client is the main suspect in her murder.

Soil samples taken from the shovel found at the Ristevski’s Avondale Heights property have been tested and one matched earth found in the Mt Macedon area where Karen Ristevski’s body was found Monday News Corp reports.

Victoria Police declined to comment, telling News Corp “the investigation is continuing and it would be inappropriate to provide a running commentary”.

Borce Ristevski visited his lawyer, Rob Stary, on Wednesday morning, a day after police confirmed that a body found in bush near Mt Macedon, north of Melbourne, was his wife, Ms Ristevski, 47.

Ms Ristevski’s stepson has urged her killer to confess, saying it’s “only a matter of time before you are spending a long time behind bars”.

Anthony Rickard, the estranged son of Karen’s husband Borce Ristevski, made the comment on his Facebook page on Wednesday. He described his stepmother as his “one true soulmate”, and urged her killer to “man up” and confess to the crime.

“I wish you were living it up overseas. You’re the only person who showed me true love and will always have a place for you in my heart. You were my one true soulmate,” he wrote.

karen ristevski

Karen (centre) and Borce Ristevski with their daughter Sarah. Photo: Supplied.

After almost eight months since her disappearance, Ms Ristevski’s decomposing body was discovered in rugged bushland in Mount Macedon Regional Park on Monday.

Forensic tests were used to identify her corpse, and the news was passed on to her Avondale Heights family on Tuesday.

Fairfax Media reported on Wednesday that Mr Ristevski had sought the advice of his lawyer in central Melbourne.

“It’s pretty clear police have him as their number one suspect,” Mr Stary told The Age newspaper.

“We’ve been advising him since day one really.

“Obviously his wife has been found and there’s an autopsy report been completed, he wants to see what that could mean,” Mr Stary told the paper.

No arrests or charges have been laid, and there is no suggestion Mr Ristevski has any involvement in her death.

Well-wishers visited the Avondale Heights home on Wednesday, with some people leaving flowers at the front gate.

Karen ristevski

One of the bouquets left by well-wishers at the Ristevskis’ home. Photo: AAP.

Police, meanwhile, have not revealed if they have any information about possible suspects.

Discovery ends long, difficult search

Ms Ristevski’s body was found by a passerby along a dirt track off Loch Road, Mount Macedon about noon on Monday.

Police conducted a line search at the scene on Tuesday, and have urged anyone with information about suspicious activity in the area to come forward.

“Investigators are also hoping to speak to anyone that may have been at Mount Macedon any time from June last year and took photos or any video footage in the area,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

Ms Ristevski had not been seen since June 29 last year when she apparently left home after an argument with her husband Borce.

She hadn’t used her bank accounts or phone since her disappearance.

The grim finding has shocked locals in Mount Macedon, with the body discovered close to numerous houses and a golf course.

Local cafe and post office owner Brad Eshuys said many people use the park.

“It’s unsettling it was so close to a residential area in an area that is well used by the locals,” he told AAP.

“I think bushwalkers would go through there, maybe mountain bikers, but not many vehicles. It’s not a road to anywhere.”

He said many still remember the body of murdered Melbourne woman Jill Meagher turning up not far from Mt Macedon, in Gisborne South, in 2012.

– with AAP

Advertisement
Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter.
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.