Shocking twist in mystery of missing woman who vanished 9 months ago leaving her phone and bank cards by side of road
COPS have revealed a missing woman who was feared dead may actually be alive and living under a new identity in a stunning twist to the mystery.
Kathleen Riethmuller, 28, vanished from Sydney, Australia, last October and was last seen walking along a busy road.
She had made a booking to stay at Elephant Backpackers in Woolloomooloo overnight on October 28, but left without even seeing her room.
Kathleen then went to the north part of the city and was seen for the final time on CCTV shopping before walking along a road.
Bizarrely, a backpack containing personal items including her ID and bank cards were found dumped 7km away.
Her phone was also found abandoned - but in a neighbouring suburb.
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Now police have shockingly revealed Kathleen - known by cops to use a series of aliases - may have travelled to Melbourne, where she could have set up an entirely new life, reports 7News.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Police Paul Toole said: "The ripple effect that occurs when a person goes missing without reason or without a trace shouldn’t be underestimated.
“Police are committed to finding Kathleen to provide answers to her family and those who knew her, but they need the public’s help."
Kathleen's heartbroken mother Shirley has pleaded for people to share any knowledge they have as she told of her deep concerns for her daughter's wellbeing.
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She said: "We love you Kathleen, so if you hear this by any chance, please contact me or any member of the family.
"As a mother, I ask all of you to please look for Kathleen.
“It’s taken us aback that she has disappeared, and it’s deeply distressing for us to not know where she is.
“She did have some troubles at that time, in terms of her mental health, which may have something to do with why she disappeared.”
Detective Chief Inspector Glen Browne said police are heavily reliant on fresh information in their hunt for fitness enthusiast Kathleen.
He said: "Her behaviour was clearly out of character when she was last seen, and we’ve been unable to establish any logical reason for her movements that day and subsequent disappearance.
"Investigators strongly suspect Kathleen may be alive and possibly living interstate, and any information to that effect would be very helpful to police."
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Kathleen was last seen on October 28 wearing a long-sleeve denim dress and black flat shoes.
She is described as having Caucasian appearance, about 165cm to 175cm tall, with a thin build and long dark hair.
