Largest-Ever Search Underway For Missing Tasmanian Teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell

One of Tasmania’s biggest searches is underway for a missing Tasmanian teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell.

Miss Tatnell was living in a youth accommodation in Launceston. On the day she went missing, the 14-year-old was on her way to visit a friend but never arrived.

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Approximately 160 police officers and SES personnel are conducting a search spanning 50 square kilometres of bushland and a separate search along the North Esk River.

This operation has become the largest-ever police search conducted in northern Tasmania. 

She was last seen at Henry Street, near a bridge crossing the North Esk River in eastern Launceston, on April 30.

Miss Tatnell was walking at night alone, wearing a cream hooded jumper with dark-coloured writing on the chest and shoulder area.

Prior searches for the teenager have primarily focused on the Henry Street bridge area and nearby flood-prone lands, while the current search near Nabowla marks the first time police have explored this area.

Detective Acting Inspector Andrew Hanson said authorities were determined to find Miss Tatnell.

“Our search efforts this week are as a result of our commitment to locate Shyanne-Lee and act on all information or leads”, he said.

“We are doing everything in our power to make that happen,” he said.

Northern District Commander Kate Chambers said police also used specialist cadaver dogs and dog handlers for this operation.

“Our investigative team has spent considerable time scouring CCTV, interviewing witnesses, and meticulously following up every lead.”

The case is still being treated as a missing person case, with no indication that it has turned into a homicide investigation. 

The search is expected to last “several days”, and police urge anyone with information about Miss Tatnell to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 131 444 or report anonymously through Crime Stoppers Tasmania.

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