Stolen car linked to missing Qld woman

Fraser Barton | October 28, 2022

Authorities hold concerns for a woman reported missing in remote northwest Queensland 11 days ago, and are not discounting any avenues of inquiry in the search.

Tea Wright-Finger was last seen on October 16 in a blue Toyota Prado near Richmond, roughly 500km west of Townsville.

A land and air search is ongoing in the remote, hot and humid outback region, with SES, search-and-rescue crews, helicopters and aircraft deployed.

Police said the Toyota Prado she was last seen in was stolen in the town of Proserpine on October 14 and is still listed as a current active stolen vehicle.

They believe the vehicle was stolen shortly before the 19-year-old was reported missing by her family. 

“The Prado, which has been linked to Tea and which Tea was last seen in the vicinity of, is a stolen vehicle,” Inspector Damien Crosby told reporters on Thursday.

“We’re not discounting any avenues of inquiry. Obviously the fact that the vehicle was stolen is part of an investigation. 

“But I would reiterate to Tea or any acquaintance of Tea that our priority remains to locate her safe and well and make sure she’s OK.”

Police haven’t been able to confirm the direction of travel of the vehicle from Richmond when it was last seen.

Insp Crosby said police have a time-line of the 19-year-old’s movements up until her disappearance, but are seeking more information as part of their investigations.

The search has spanned more than 700km by air, including Cloncurry, Four Ways and Julia Creek.

Ms Wright-Finger is described as Caucasian, about 180cm tall with a medium build and blondish/light brown hair.