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Nearly 50 years after she vanished without a trace, Victoria Police had released new pictures of a missing teen in a bid to elicit information about the case.
Sherrlynn Mitchell, from Ballarat, was last seen at her home on Eyre Street on Thursday 22 November 1973 when she left to meet a friend at a bus stop.
However the 16-year-old never turned up. She never returned to her workplace at Ballarat Woollen Mills and did not collect her wages.
Sherrlynn's mother passed away in 2016. Her two brothers are her only surviving relatives.
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Victoria Police has released an age progression photo of the teen showing what she may look like now.
Investigators said they've "exhausted all known avenues of inquiry".
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"We are determined to find out what happened to her so we can end the trauma for her family and loved ones," Detective Acting Sergeant Andrew Barnes of Ballarat Crime Investigation Unit said.
"While there is nothing at this time to indicate Sherrlynn's disappearance was suspicious, police are keen to speak to anyone who has more information about her movements over the years or where she may be now.
"Sherrlynn, if you are out there – it is not a crime to disappear and police will not disclose your whereabouts to anyone if that is your wish – we just want to know that you are safe."
At the time of her disappearance Sherrlynn was 165cm tall with a medium build, red hair, hazel eyes and a fair complexion.
Body of woman found in US
In 2010 Victoria Police used DNA testing to determine if a body of a woman found in the US could be Sherrlynn.
The body was found seven years after the 16-year-old vanished.
However the body proved to be someone else.
"In 2020, Ballarat detectives received samples of both Sherrlynn's and her now deceased mother's hair. The samples were sent to the Victoria Police Forensics Unit and the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine for examination, and a partial DNA sample was obtained," Victoria Police said in a statement.
"Detectives followed up a number of possible DNA matches in Australia, however no matches were found."
Anyone with information about Sherrlynn is asked to contact either Ballarat Police Station on 03 5336 6000, or Crime Stoppers on 1800 or www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
Source: 9News
