Found Deceased Australia - Monika Billen, 62, German tourist, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, 1 Jan 2019

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GuyfromCanada

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A frantic search is underway for a missing German tourist who was last seen in Alice Springs on New Year's Day.

Monika Billen, 62, was reported missing at 11am on Tuesday after a German national said she hadn't returned to her accommodation at the Desert Palms Resort on Barrett Drive.

She was last seen leaving the resort at 10.30am on January 1, but was meant to check out by January 5, according to Northern Territory police.

Police say Ms Billen had some interest in hiking the Larapinta Trail, an 18-day trek west of Alice Springs.

More at link Frantic search underway for missing German tourist last seen in Alice Springs on New Year's Day | Daily Mail Online
 
GuyfromCanada said:
8292654-6571241-image-a-53_1546996294598.jpg


A frantic search is underway for a missing German tourist who was last seen in Alice Springs on New Year's Day.

Monika Billen, 62, was reported missing at 11am on Tuesday after a German national said she hadn't returned to her accommodation at the Desert Palms Resort on Barrett Drive.

She was last seen leaving the resort at 10.30am on January 1, but was meant to check out by January 5, according to Northern Territory police.

Police say Ms Billen had some interest in hiking the Larapinta Trail, an 18-day trek west of Alice Springs.

More at link Frantic search underway for missing German tourist last seen in Alice Springs on New Year's Day | Daily Mail Online
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I hope she’s found safe. It’s so easy to become lost in The Outback.
 
Katrina Beavan‏ @katrina_beavan
MISSING PERSON- NT Police are looking for 62 yr old German woman Monika Billen who hasn't been seen since Jan 1st in Alice. Police believe she was keen on walking Larapinta Trail/other local bushwalks. She was due to check out of Desert Palms on Jan 5th but hasn't returned.

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Katrina Beavan on Twitter

Katrina Beavan‏ @katrina_beavan

She was last seen wearing a red chequered long sleeve top, denim knee-length shorts & a bright red backpack. Police urge anyone who may have seen her or who have any info as to her whereabouts to please contact them on 131 444.

Katrina Beavan on Twitter

Katrina Beavan‏ @katrina_beavan

Police say they are still searching for missing German tourist Monika Billen, they’ve covered 45km of land searching with a drone in the Gap, Todd River & Larapinta Trail, but no sign yet. They believe she was interested in bush walking based on brochures found in her room.

Katrina Beavan on Twitter

Katrina Beavan‏ @katrina_beavan

She was last seen on Jan 1st at Desert Palms Resort, and was meant to check out on the 5th, alarm was raised with police yesterday (the 8th). She also missed her flight to Darwin.

Katrina Beavan on Twitter
 
Bohemian said:
New clue in search for missing German tourist
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From the article:

New information has revealed missing German tourist Monika Billen was last seen walking on Barrett Drive in Alice Springs.

Northern Territory Police believe Ms Billen walked south on Barrett Drive along the Todd River, after leaving her hotel at 10:30am on New Year's Day.

A witness sighted her at Emily Gap in the afternoon, and police are trying to clarify if she walked or used transport to get there and whether she stayed overnight.

On January 2nd, a motorist saw the 62-year-old looking dehydrated and disorientated at the intersection of Undoolya Road and Stott Terrace.

Ms Billen declined an offer for water but accepted a lift, requesting to be dropped off at Olive Pink Botanic Gardens on Barrett Drive.

Superintendent Pauline Vicary said they believe the 62-year-old was wearing a yellow cashmere-type scarf around her head and shoulders, beige shorts and a short-sleeved red top when she was last seen.

monika.jpg
 
Last edited:
Search for missing German tourist Monika Billen to focus around Emily Gap - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

‘Today police said they have footage of eight cars driving past Ms Billen as she walked down Barrett Drive on New Year's Day, but said none of those drivers have contacted them.

"We are very concerned we are getting very little information come in from the Alice Springs people in relation to whether they've seen Monika or not," Acting Superintendent Pauline Vicary said.

"Just don't assume that other people are going to tell us and you don't need to.

"Particularly there are eight vehicles that drove past her on Barrett Drive on the first, none of those people have contacted us.

"We are urging you please contact us so we can have a conversation, you may have seen something and not even realised it."’
 
Missing German tourist's family sends heartbreaking letter revealing new clues - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

‘The family of missing German tourist Monika Billen have offered some new clues about the movements of their "dearly beloved daughter, sister and aunt" in the days before she disappeared.’

‘In a letter to the ABC, Ms Billen's family have shared some extracts from the last email the intrepid hiker sent.

It mentioned taking "more or less extensive walks in the surroundings of Alice Springs".’

‘'Travelled off the beaten path for years'

Ms Billen's family in Cologne have written a letter imploring the Alice Springs public to come forward with any information which could lead to her discovery.

"We fear that Monika has had an accident or has been the victim of a violent crime," the letter read.

"Monika has travelled off the beaten path for many years and in many countries and has always proceeded with caution.

"It is normal for her to take several days between messages to us, and that is why we did not know at first that she was missing.

"We have been consumed with worry ever since we heard of Monika's disappearance, especially because we know her as a very responsible and capable person."

In her last email to her family on December 31, Ms Billen detailed her plans to walk the region.

"In the heat I take more or less extensive walks in the surroundings of Alice Springs in Central Australia," Ms Billen wrote to her family.

"Somehow the heat fits well with the landscape … I took a picture from the [Olive Pink] Botanical Garden lookout hill, which is near my accomodations (sic) and offers plenty of shady places to sit, dream, and read."’

‘Family urges witnesses to come forward

Ms Billen's family have thanked the NT Police "and those who have been helping them search for Monika".

"[We] urge you to call them with any kind of information that can help bring Monika back to us, please call 131 444 or write a mail to findmonika@web.de."’
 
Bohemian said:
Missing German tourist's family sends heartbreaking letter revealing new clues - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

‘The family of missing German tourist Monika Billen have offered some new clues about the movements of their "dearly beloved daughter, sister and aunt" in the days before she disappeared.’

‘In a letter to the ABC, Ms Billen's family have shared some extracts from the last email the intrepid hiker sent.

It mentioned taking "more or less extensive walks in the surroundings of Alice Springs".’

‘'Travelled off the beaten path for years'

Ms Billen's family in Cologne have written a letter imploring the Alice Springs public to come forward with any information which could lead to her discovery.

"We fear that Monika has had an accident or has been the victim of a violent crime," the letter read.

"Monika has travelled off the beaten path for many years and in many countries and has always proceeded with caution.

"It is normal for her to take several days between messages to us, and that is why we did not know at first that she was missing.

"We have been consumed with worry ever since we heard of Monika's disappearance, especially because we know her as a very responsible and capable person."

In her last email to her family on December 31, Ms Billen detailed her plans to walk the region.

"In the heat I take more or less extensive walks in the surroundings of Alice Springs in Central Australia," Ms Billen wrote to her family.

"Somehow the heat fits well with the landscape … I took a picture from the [Olive Pink] Botanical Garden lookout hill, which is near my accomodations (sic) and offers plenty of shady places to sit, dream, and read."’

‘Family urges witnesses to come forward

Ms Billen's family have thanked the NT Police "and those who have been helping them search for Monika".

"[We] urge you to call them with any kind of information that can help bring Monika back to us, please call 131 444 or write a mail to findmonika@web.de."’
Click to expand...
She was last seen dehydrated and disoriented and yet the driver that found her in that condition took her to another hiking location to continue her excursion in 110F. temperatures. I do not think she met with an accident or crime. She likely succumbed to the elements and wandered off the trail in the process. I hope when it cools down, another hiker finds her to bring her home to her family for closure.
 
GraceG said:
She was last seen dehydrated and disoriented and yet the driver that found her in that condition took her to another hiking location to continue her excursion in 110F. temperatures.
Click to expand...

This is what I find so odd given that she is said to be a cautious and responsible person. She also refused water offered. Did she have any water with her? If yes she shouldn't have been dehydrated, if not she was certainly not cautious. It just doesn't make any sense. Why was she (apparently) so reckless?
 
I too believe the lady has succumbed to the elements,especially given the description of her at last sighting.

You can never be too careful in the extreme conditions present in Alice and unfortunately people overestimate their ability to survive.

Hope her family have answers sooner rather than later.
 
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