Carolina Wilga: Nationwide search for missing backpacker as police investigation intensifies
West Australian10-07-2025
The desperate search for a missing German backpacker has spread across the country as homicide detectives describe her disappearance as 'unexplained' and 'concerning'.
Carolina Wilga, 26, was last seen almost two weeks ago at a convenience store in Beacon at 12.10pm on June 29.
Ms Wilga hasn't been seen since she left the store minutes later.
Police say she contacted her friends on the same day, with the backpacker telling them she planed to either explore regional WA or head to the eastern states.
She was also seen in the towns of Toodyay and Dowerin on June 28, with police releasing CCTV of her last known movements on Thursday in a bid for assistance from the public.
When asked if police believe the young woman was met with foul play, homicide squad detective senior sergeant Katharine Venn said: 'Quite simply, no.'
'At the moment, this is a missing persons investigation — there is no indication that there's any third party involvement in her disappearance,' she said.
'But our minds are open to any line of inquiry or any information that people can forward (to police).'
Det. Sen-Sgt Venn said every police department across Australia had been notified of the Ms Wilga's disappearance.
'We actually have, from a wide variety of sources of friends and associates, (information) that Carolina was intending to travel throughout regional WA, remote WA, she may have intended to travel over east and so we therefore our search area is therefore vast,' she said.
'As far as we are concerned, all jurisdictions are aware, there are alerts on her vehicle, and we're considering information from any state or territory in terms of citing information (related to her disappearance).'
'We have air assets, so helicopters, planes, have been searching that immediate area of the Wheatbelt around Beacon that certainly forms a significant part of our search effort.
'But we are also following up with leads across regional WA and across towns including Albany, Esperance, Margaret River.
'Every piece of information we're receiving has been treated seriously.'
Police have not located Ms Wilga's vehicle and have followed up on numerous reports that she has been sighted by the public.
'This is unexplained behaviour, it's concerning behaviour,' Det. Sen-Sgt Venn said.
'We are taking it very seriously, but it is also possible that Carolina could be traveling in remote WA, she could be off grid, not have access to her phone, and she certainly had capacity in the vehicle she was traveling in to be self-sufficient for quite some time.'
WA Police homicide detectives have travelled to the Wheatbelt following her disappearance.
Police are in regular contact with her family, who remain in Germany following previous reports they had travelled to WA.
Det. Sen-Sgt Venn said 'the family are understandably distraught, very worried'.
'As any of us would be with a young family member the other side of the world missing in such unusual circumstance,' she said.
Police believe her phone has been switched off, with her last known contact with others made to friends on June 29.
The young backpacker has been travelling throughout Australia for two years and had been mostly staying in hostels and backpacker accommodation.
It is understood she has been working on mine sites, which has funded her travels.
Ms Wilga is known to have been travelling in a distinctive black and silver 1995 Mitsubishi van, with the WA registration 1HDS 330.
The van has been previously sighted with a rooftop tent.
She is described as being of slim build, with frizzy or curly long dark blonde hair and brown eyes.
She also has several tattoos, including one her left arms depicting different symbols.
Investigators were seeking footage around Beacon and the surrounding north-eastern Wheatbelt areas between June 29 and July 4 following her disappearance.
Dash-cam, CCTV or mobile phone footage can be
sent to police directly here
.
Anyone with any information in relation to the whereabouts of Carolina Wilga is urged to contact police immediately on 131 444.
Carolina Wilga, 26, was last seen almost two weeks ago at a convenience store in Beacon at 12.10pm on June 29.
Ms Wilga hasn't been seen since she left the store minutes later.
Police say she contacted her friends on the same day, with the backpacker telling them she planed to either explore regional WA or head to the eastern states.
She was also seen in the towns of Toodyay and Dowerin on June 28, with police releasing CCTV of her last known movements on Thursday in a bid for assistance from the public.
When asked if police believe the young woman was met with foul play, homicide squad detective senior sergeant Katharine Venn said: 'Quite simply, no.'
'At the moment, this is a missing persons investigation — there is no indication that there's any third party involvement in her disappearance,' she said.
'But our minds are open to any line of inquiry or any information that people can forward (to police).'
Det. Sen-Sgt Venn said every police department across Australia had been notified of the Ms Wilga's disappearance.
'We actually have, from a wide variety of sources of friends and associates, (information) that Carolina was intending to travel throughout regional WA, remote WA, she may have intended to travel over east and so we therefore our search area is therefore vast,' she said.
'As far as we are concerned, all jurisdictions are aware, there are alerts on her vehicle, and we're considering information from any state or territory in terms of citing information (related to her disappearance).'
'We have air assets, so helicopters, planes, have been searching that immediate area of the Wheatbelt around Beacon that certainly forms a significant part of our search effort.
'But we are also following up with leads across regional WA and across towns including Albany, Esperance, Margaret River.
'Every piece of information we're receiving has been treated seriously.'
Police have not located Ms Wilga's vehicle and have followed up on numerous reports that she has been sighted by the public.
'This is unexplained behaviour, it's concerning behaviour,' Det. Sen-Sgt Venn said.
'We are taking it very seriously, but it is also possible that Carolina could be traveling in remote WA, she could be off grid, not have access to her phone, and she certainly had capacity in the vehicle she was traveling in to be self-sufficient for quite some time.'
WA Police homicide detectives have travelled to the Wheatbelt following her disappearance.
Police are in regular contact with her family, who remain in Germany following previous reports they had travelled to WA.
Det. Sen-Sgt Venn said 'the family are understandably distraught, very worried'.
'As any of us would be with a young family member the other side of the world missing in such unusual circumstance,' she said.
Police believe her phone has been switched off, with her last known contact with others made to friends on June 29.
The young backpacker has been travelling throughout Australia for two years and had been mostly staying in hostels and backpacker accommodation.
It is understood she has been working on mine sites, which has funded her travels.
Ms Wilga is known to have been travelling in a distinctive black and silver 1995 Mitsubishi van, with the WA registration 1HDS 330.
The van has been previously sighted with a rooftop tent.
She is described as being of slim build, with frizzy or curly long dark blonde hair and brown eyes.
She also has several tattoos, including one her left arms depicting different symbols.
Investigators were seeking footage around Beacon and the surrounding north-eastern Wheatbelt areas between June 29 and July 4 following her disappearance.
Dash-cam, CCTV or mobile phone footage can be
sent to police directly here
.
Anyone with any information in relation to the whereabouts of Carolina Wilga is urged to contact police immediately on 131 444.
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