Australia Australia - Ellen Wilson, 54, Ballina, NSW, 11 Sept 2015

[stormbird]

Agree entirely.
The only other real way the car wouldn’t be found is if it’s been parted out.
“The V.I.N. is recorded and located in a number of locations which can vary from model to model. Locations can include the vehicle firewall, build plate located in the engine bay or base of the passenger side 'B' pillar.”
Which I think would mean everything but the chassis could be removed and sold or disposed of without it being identifiable?

HinterlandObserver: in that sort of scenario - if it isn't Ellen who sells or disposes of the car - what's your thinking on how someone else got the car to start with? Are you thinking the car activity could be related to her disappearance, or separate?

 

[HinterlandObserver]

HinterlandObserver: in that sort of scenario - if it isn't Ellen who sells or disposes of the car - what's your thinking on how someone else got the car to start with? Are you thinking the car activity could be related to her disappearance, or separate?

Knowing the Aussie hotels reputation and history (including being set on fire not long after her disappearance), I can’t imagine why Ellen may have been there for any reason, other than to possibly meet someone who either lived there or frequented there.
By all accounts she was not a someone who “went to pubs to socialise” or gambler.
I believe there’s someone else involved in her disappearance.
Whether accidental or intentional, I believe someone has done something to her and then had to cover it up. IMOO

 

[HinterlandObserver]

Since my last post, I’ve met with a source close to Ellen who said she had a partner from west Ballina at the time of her disappearance, who none of her friends had met, and that Ellen lived a block up from the Aussie hotel in Ballina in some flats, where she also had a neighbour who had been bullying and abusive to her.
There seems to be much more to her story than we realised.

 

[Itsapuzzle]

Would be good if they could get a podcast or episode up on the case - I hadn't heard about the case until I came across your post @Lokii on another matter. Great find.

 

[VisitorDog]

When people go missing in this way I do wonder whether police check their social media accounts / email / phone records etc - presumably it would be potentially illuminating on who she might have relationships with and communicated with. I presume so but based on other cases, perhaps not.

 

[VisitorDog]

I’m also curious whether cars are flagged in any way with dealers / scrap dealers / license plate cameras etc in the event they turn up later in other hands.

 

[HinterlandObserver]

I’m also curious whether cars are flagged in any way with dealers / scrap dealers / license plate cameras etc in the event they turn up later in other hands.

The car never being recovered is a huge conundrum to me.

 

[Puggo]

I’m also curious whether cars are flagged in any way with dealers / scrap dealers / license plate cameras etc in the event they turn up later in other hands.

Having seen police scour the yards of local scrap dealers first hand in Victoria, yes I believe so.

 

[VisitorDog]

Having seen police scour the yards of local scrap dealers first hand in Victoria, yes I believe so.

That’s good, I was wondering if they actually have an online record kept anywhere that flags up the VINs of scrapped cars for example. Hard to police I guess.

 

[HinterlandObserver]

That’s good, I was wondering if they actually have an online record kept anywhere that flags up the VINs of scrapped cars for example. Hard to police I guess.

On that note I wonder if there’s unidentifiable burnt out vehicles locally. What happens if there’s so much damage that a VIN isn’t identifiable?