Disturbing CCTV footage has emerged showing a missing mother seeking deep concentration days before she mysteriously vanished without a trace.
Celeste McGain, 40, was last seen at a home in Woodwark near Airlie Beach in Queensland’s Whitsundays region on May 25.
Three months earlier, she had moved from northern New South Wales to live with her three children aged between 18 and 25 and was reportedly “in good spirits” when last seen by loved ones.
Police on Thursday renewed a public appeal for information about her whereabouts and are investigating lines of inquiry that suggest she may have attempted to hitchhike at some point around the time she disappeared.
They also released new CCTV footage, showing McGain at an employment agency in nearby Cannonvale on May 7.
The security camera showed Ms McGain sitting in a waiting room holding a bottle of water.
She was also caught apparently rubbing her eyes and forehead with both hands before taking a sip of water.
He seemed to stare into space in deep concentration before getting up and going to a nearby bookshelf to grab a newspaper to read.
Police released CCTV images of Ms McGain (pictured) from an employment agency in Cannonvale, in the Whitsundays region of northern Queensland, on May 7.
Ms McGain (pictured) was reported missing on June 1 after her worried family spent a week trying to contact her and locate her whereabouts without success.
Ms. McGain returned to her seat and glanced briefly at the front page before returning the paper to the shelf and waving with a half-smile to someone off-camera in front of her.
She was reported missing on June 1 after her worried family spent a week trying to contact her and locate her without success.
She left behind personal belongings, including her phone and bank card, on the day she disappeared.
Police investigators believe Celeste may have been attempting to hitchhike.
They are appealing for anyone who may have seen a small green ‘beach’ 4×4 vehicle in the vicinity of Shute Harbour Road, Cannonvale between May 25 and June 1 to come forward.
Anyone who has picked up a hitchhiker or has dashcam or CCTV footage of the area is urged to contact police.
Queensland Police first launched a public appeal into Ms McGain’s disappearance last month.
“As Celeste has not had any communication with her family members, it raises obvious concerns about her welfare because she is out of the ordinary,” said Acting Detective Sergeant Georgie Carland.
“We are concerned about Celeste having access to basic needs (including) food, water… in regards to her well-being.”
Ms McGain (pictured) is described as Caucasian, approximately 175cm tall, with brown eyes and curly brown hair. Pictured: CCTV image from an employment agency in Cannonvale, in the Whitsundays region of northern Queensland, on May 7.
‘Celeste has led a relatively private lifestyle and is known to travel without telling her family, which adds to the challenges.’
Acting Detective Sergeant Carland issued a desperate appeal to Ms McGain on behalf of her sister Kate.
“We ask that if you are seeing this, Celeste, please reach out to your family through whatever means are comfortable for you,” she said.
‘I recently spoke to your sister Kate and she described the type of person you are as very friendly and outgoing.’
“She is very worried, as are your children.”
Ms McGain is described as white, 175cm tall, with brown eyes and curly brown hair.
The last time she was seen she was wearing a blue skirt and a white shirt.
Anyone with information about Ms McGain’s disappearance is urged to call Policelink or Crime Stoppers.