Discovery of suspected human remains near outback town where missing mum Trisha Graf vanished sparks police investigation

By CAITLIN POWELL - NEWS REPORTER and KARLEIGH SMITH - SENIOR REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 01:17, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 01:25, 30 July 2026 Police have launched an investigation after suspected human remains were found near the outback town in South Australia where a missing mum vanished last year. The discovery was made near the remote opal-mining town of Andamooka, 600km north of Adelaide, which has a population of about 250.  'South Australia Police are investigating after a member of the public located what they thought could be human remains in a mine shaft at Andamooka,' a statement said. 'Police are in the process of conducting a preliminary assessment and will provide further information when it becomes available.' The town drew headlines last year after missing mum of six Trisha Graf, 41, was last seen there on December 12. It is not yet known if the remains are those of Ms Graf. Ms Graf was seen on CCTV footage at the Roxby Downs Tavern at 12.19am where a mystery man is reported to have stepped in and paid for Ms Graf's beer. She left a short time later in a white 2012 Ford Territory accompanied by her friend Kymberley Conniff, who also lived in Andamooka. On the drive back towards Andamooka, Ms Graf hit a kangaroo just outside the town, police said. Suspected human remains were found near the remote opal-mining town of Andamooka, 600km north of Adelaide The town drew headlines last year after missing mum of six Trisha Graf (pictured) was last seen there on December 12 Despite the accident, Ms Graf and her friend continued into town and visited a house in the north-western area. Shortly before 2am, Ms Graf left that address to make what should have been a five-minute trip home. She was last seen driving along Dunstan Drive in Andamooka.  Her partner Tony Gregory woke up to find her missing, and said he went to her friend's place looking for her. Just after midday on December 12, Mr Gregory and a friend found her Ford Territory perched on a dirt mound near the Blue Dam, east of the township. The vehicle was damaged from the collision with the kangaroo and could not be driven. The pack of VB was still in the back seat, with one bottle missing. Officers and SES initially conducted ground and aerial searches as divers checked the nearby dam, and detectives went door-to-door in the dusty mining outpost. Police have classified Ms Graf's disappearance as a major crime. A community page stated she was wearing black pants and a black top at the time of her disappearance, with her hair in a plait, pulled away from her face. Ms Graf also has a nose piercing, lip piercing and ear piercings as well as a skull tattoo on her upper right arm and a mermaid tattoo on her lower forearm. Anyone with information about Ms Graf's whereabouts or her movements leading up to her disappearance is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.