Jessica Zrinski: homicide detectives use police dogs to search bushland for missing Sydney woman

Homicide squad detectives are searching bushland near the Jenolan Caves in New South Wales for the body of missing Sydney woman Jessica Zrinski.

The then 30-year-old was last seen outside a Sydney pub in November 2022 before being driven towards the Blue Mountains.

The search, which involves the police dog squad, started on Friday about 13km north of the caves in the Jenolan state forest. It was expected to run until Sunday.

Officers searched the nearby Hampton state forest in May 2023.

Zrinski was last in contact with her family late on Sunday 27 November 2022. Police were alerted to her disappearance a few days later on 3 December.

Related: Jessica Zrinski vanished a year ago after getting into a blue Commodore outside a Sydney pub

Detectives subsequently discovered Zrinski had been in the car park of a hotel at Greenfield Park at about 10pm on Monday 28 November before leaving in a blue Holden Commodore station wagon about 10 minutes later.

Investigators say the car travelled west on the M4 motorway and Great Western Highway towards the Blue Mountains.

CCTV footage released in late 2023 showed Zrinski in the car which was seen travelling through Horsley Park at about 10.15pm and then Mount Victoria the next morning – Tuesday – at about 8.50am.

Detectives reportedly seized the Holden Commodore for forensic examination in January last year but the driver was unable to help police with their inquiries.

At the end of last year, police offered a $500,000 reward for information regarding Zrinski’s disappearance.

NSW police on Friday said this weekend’s search would be supported by the dog squad, the rescue and bomb disposal unit and volunteers.

Last year, Zrinski’s mother, Michelle Barton, released an emotional statement through police on the pain she has endured since her family was last in contact with Zrinski.

“Living life without my baby girl Jess has been the most difficult pain I’ve ever had to endure,” Barton said.

“I’ve loved her for her whole life and I’ll miss her for the rest of mine. All I can hope is there is someone out there who can help us find Jess so we – her family and friends – can lay her to rest and say our goodbyes.”