The family of Stephanie Cordery, 42, are urgently seeking information after she disappeared 26 days ago. Ms. Cordery was last seen on August 5, driving to her boyfriend's remote property in northern New South Wales. She departed temporary accommodation in Ballina around 5 a.m. Police tracked her vehicle traveling west through Lismore and then north through Nimbin by 6 a.m.
Her on-and-off boyfriend of eight years contacted her family at 1:19 p.m. on August 5, stating he had found her car on his property but that Ms. Cordery was not present. Her sister, Monique, subsequently contacted the police after the boyfriend's family was unable to locate her. "He was very forthcoming with answering any questions. He opened up his property and his family member's property with no hesitation at all. His vehicle, everything," Monique told A Current Affair.
Ms. Cordery's handbag, wallet, and keys were found inside her vehicle, which has since undergone forensic examination and been returned to the family. Her phone was discovered at the Ballina accommodation, an detail her sister described as "very strange."
Following the police report, an extensive 13-day search was conducted in the bushland surrounding Newton Drive and Upper Tuntable Falls Road in Nimbin. No trace of Ms. Cordery was discovered, and police have suspended the search, indicating they do not believe she remains in the area.
"Each day we get further from August 5, we know the chances of finding Stephie safe and well is becoming more and more unlikely," Monique stated. "We want to hold hope that she's still out there somewhere, but it's not looking good, and we can't even grieve because we don't know."
The disappearance has deeply affected Ms. Cordery's loved ones, who have organized their own searches covering approximately 60 kilometers of bushland. They are appealing for anyone with information to come forward, even if they wish to remain anonymous. Her father, Barry, expressed the difficulty of the situation, noting "It's tough. Yeah, it's not getting much better."
NSW Police, aided by local officers, Police Rescue, the Dog Unit, NSW State Emergency Service, and NSW Rural Fire Service, conducted multiple searches. On August 26, police divers from the Marine Area Command searched dams and waterways near where Ms. Cordery's car was found.
Police have expressed serious concern for Ms. Cordery's welfare due to a pre-existing medical condition requiring medication. Ms. Cordery is described as Caucasian, approximately 165cm tall, of medium build, with brown hair. She is known to frequent the Ballina, Lismore, and Nimbin areas.
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding Ms. Cordery's whereabouts to contact police or Crime Stoppers.