Police chase leads across regional WA in search for missing backpacker

1 week ago 10

Police say they are following up tips across regional Western Australia in the hunt for a German backpacker who went missing in the Wheatbelt region 12 days ago.

Detectives believe Carolina Wilga was in the Beacon area, about 330 kilometres from Perth, at the time.

The 26-year-old was seen on CCTV captured by a general store in the town at 12.10pm on June 29, which showed her pull her 1995 Mitsubishi van in front of the closed shop.

She appeared to walk over to a garden bed, then drove away.

Police have been unable to determine which direction she left town, but believe she was travelling east.

She has not been seen or heard from since, and concerns are held for her welfare.

Detective Senior Sergeant Katharine Venn said police were tracking her movements in the day before to her disappearance.

“On the day prior Carolina travelled through Toodyay then Dowerin, which are Wheatbelt towns,” she said.

“Today, we’re going to release footage of her in both of those locations to you, and we hope that this will cause a member of the public to recognise Carolina as somebody they’ve seen.

“This is a missing person’s investigation; there is no indication that there’s any third-party involvement in her disappearance, but our minds are open to any line of inquiry.”

Wilga could be travelling in a black and silver van with the registration 1HDS 330.

She has a slim build, frizzy or curly long dark blonde hair, brown eyes and several tattoos.

She has been backpacking and staying at motels, which police say she often funded through her work on mine sites.

Beacon is on the edge of the Wheatbelt region, and is known for its wildflowers and granite outcrops.

It has a population of 123 residents, and acts as a service centre for surrounding agricultural businesses.

Wilga previously posted on Perth job boards advertising her experience working on farms.

Wilga posted to job boards, saying she had experience in farming, hospitality and housekeeping.

Venn said police were following up tips in Albany, Esperance and Margaret River.

“This is unexplained behaviour,” she said.

“We are taking it very seriously, but it is also possible that Carolina could be travelling in remote WA she could be off grid, not have access to her phone, and … the vehicle she was travelling in [could mean she is] self-sufficient for quite some time.”

Her mother posted to social media about her daughter’s disappearance, which has also been covered by German media.

“I’m her mother and need her [sic] help, as I can’t do much from Germany,” she wrote.

“Carolina is still sorely missed.

“If anyone has any information, please contact the police … please keep your eyes open!”

A man claiming to be Wilga’s brother also posted to social media asking West Australians to contact police if they had any information.

German federal police have been contacted for comment.

Police have asked anyone who saw anything between June 29, 2025 and July 4, 2025 to contact Crime Stoppers.