Desperate search for backpacker who vanished in Oz outback as van found abandoned after sending haunting final message
Carolina Wilga has not been seen or heard from since June 29, when she was spotted at a general store in Beacon, 186 miles north-east of Perth.
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The 26-year-old German backpacker was last seen at a general store on June 29
Credit: AFP
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Her Mitsubishi Delica van was later found abandoned on Thursday
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WA Police have since launched a desperate search to find the 26-year-old German
Credit: Western Australia Police Force
The 26-year-old German was then seen driving away in her black and silver Mitsubishi Delica van.
She is described as slim with curly brown hair, brown eyes, and several tattoos, including a distinctive 'symbols' tattoo on her forearm.
Police believe Carolina may have become disoriented and walked into bushland after her vehicle broke down in the Karroun Hill area in Western Australia's outback.
The region is said to be an unforgiving expanse, described by authorities as remote, rocky and inhospitable.
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Acting Inspector Jessica Securo confirmed the van was found Thursday at least 21 miles from any main track.
She told ABC News on Friday: 'The terrain is outback country and there are large, rocky outcrops.
'So although there's a number of tracks, you can see how it would be easy to become lost or disorientated in that area if you didn't know it well.'
Broken down van
Authorities say Carolina's van appeared to have suffered mechanical issues and was bogged,
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WA police's Martin Glynn said: 'The police air wing officers were able to identify that the vehicle was bogged and was subject to extensive efforts by her to recover the vehicle.
'She'd used Maxtrax and pieces of wood to try to free the vehicle from its location, but unfortunately was unsuccessful.'
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Cops say they do not believe foul play was involved, and have focused search efforts around the van's location.
They launched what they call a "reflex search" within 300 metres of the vehicle and aerial sweeps of the wider area due to the difficult terrain.
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'The search has resumed in that Karroun Hill area,' Securo said.
'It will be concentrating around her vehicle and tracks that offshoot that area.
'Our aerial support is our best chances of finding her.'
Forensic teams are now combing through the Mitsubishi vehicle to determine what the backpacker may have taken with her - and what might have let her to abandon it.
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Securo told
Final messages to friend
Carolina had been backpacking across Australia for two years and recently worked at mine sites in regional WA.
Her last known communication were text and voice messages sent to a friend in the early hours of June 29.
At 7am, Carolina texted her friend, who had been in communication with her the day she was spotted departing the Sundance Backpackers hostel in Freemantle.
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In the text, the German reportedly said she wouldn't be able to drop off a book and a jerry can because she had 'some stuff she needed to handle.'
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Carolina had been backpacking across Australia for two years
Credit: AFP
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Carolina was spotted wearing a long beige jumper and light blue jeans
Credit: Western Australia Police Force
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Carolina pictured in the van outside a general store in the small agricultural community of Beacon
Credit: AFP
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She was also pictured later driving the same van
Credit: Western Australia Police Force
She was then spotted at a local store in the tiny town of Beacon on June 29 at around 12.10pm.
Later that day, at 4.28pm, CCTV captured her at a Toodyay petrol station, Sky News Australia reports.
Ten minutes later, at 4.38pm, she reportedly sent a chilling voice message to her friend, in which she could be heard saying: ''I just couldn't wait anymore. Ugh. I felt tired''.
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Police believe Carolina continued driving east to Wialki, but after June 30, all contact with friends and family ceased.
Her disappearance has triggered a full-scale operation involving police, State Emergency Services and Department of Fire and Emergency Services.
The van — equipped with solar panels and water — was found Thursday, but there has been no sign of the missing woman.
A Facebook page titled 'Help Find Carolina Wilga' has been launched to assist the search, and WA Police have issued an urgent nationwide appeal for information.
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'Someone out there must have some vital information which can assist WA Police in bringing Carolina back to her family and friends,' said Detective Katherine.
Premier Roger Cook also weighed in, describing the discovery of the van as a 'pleasing' development but said the priority remains bringing Carolina home.
'Our heart goes out to everyone involved, we just want Caroline home,' he said.
Anyone with information is urged to call Police on 131 144, contact Crime Stoppers on
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Police officers gather in Beacon, Western Australia on Friday as they prepare to search for the missing German backpacker
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Police wait by a helicopter in Beacon, Western Australia, on Friday
Credit: AP
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