Parents of 18-year-old Aanisha Sathik are frantically searching for their daughter, who has been missing for a week.
The UNSW student vanished from her Western Sydney home, leaving her family and authorities baffled.
Last Seen on CCTV Footage
Aanisha was last seen on CCTV footage, which has helped map out her movements.
She left her home on Park Rd in Auburn around 1 pm last Monday and never returned.
The footage shows her walking south along Harrow Rd, spending two hours in Norman Park, and then walking along Mount Auburn Rd and Woodburn Rd, near Stone St, around 5:50 pm.
What’s concerning is that Aanisha didn’t take her phone or any money with her, leaving her family worried sick.
Police Hold Serious Concerns for Her Welfare
“Seven days is a long time to be missing,” said Superintendent Robert Toynton. “We’re asking the community to help us. This is a densely populated area.
Someone must have seen something, someone must have seen Aanisha. And we need that information to help us crack this investigation open.”
Heart-Wrenching Public Appeal from Father
Aanisha’s father made a tearful public appeal on Monday, urging the community to help find his daughter. “We don’t know what happened to our daughter.
We just want her home safe,” he said. “Seven days, no money, no food. We are worrying a lot. Please help.”
He described Aanisha as a “brilliant” and “brave” young woman who is studying a Bachelor of Computer Science at UNSW.
“She aims to become a doctor, to serve the community,” he said. “But she became a little upset and left home. Our hearts are already broken.”
Aanisha’s Struggle with Anxiety and Depression
Aanisha’s father revealed that his daughter had been struggling with anxiety and depression over the past six to seven months but had refused to take medication.
“She doesn’t have many friends, she always goes with us,” he said. “Our child knows only school and house, nothing much. We’re a bit scared now.”
Description of Aanisha
Aanisha is described as being of Indian/Sub-Continental appearance, about 180cm tall, of slim build, with long black hair in a bun and brown eyes.
She was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, long black pants with cream pinstripes, white shoes, and gold earrings. She is known to use public transport.
Anyone in the Auburn or Berala area is urged to be on high alert and to contact police immediately with any sightings or information that could assist the search.