Detectives searching for a real estate agent who vanished from Sydney more than eight days ago have had a breakthrough – as a police officer reveals investigators are ‘no longer concerned’ about her wellbeing.
Leesa Forrest, 28, who lives in Newport in the city’s northern beaches, last spoke to someone at about 12.30pm on Wednesday last week, but failed to return to work or her home.
Her phone was turned off and Facebook account disabled, igniting police and her family’s concerns for her welfare.
Northern Beaches Police on Thursday revealed they had received information Ms Forrest was in a town in regional NSW.
‘Police no longer have concerns for Ms Forrest’s welfare and wellbeing,’ the spokesman told the Daily Telegraph.
Leesa Forrest, 28, who lives in Newport, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches was last spoken to at about about 12.30pm on Wednesday last week
Daily Mail Australia understands police are yet to physically locate Ms Forrest and are still working to get into contact with her.
Police on the north coast are investigating the claims. It is understood officers are not treating the disappearance as suspicious.
Ms Forrest’s last confirmed sighting was at her workplace at Ray White in Narrabeen but her phone has since been switched off and nobody has heard from her since.
A family member said: ‘She just needs to contact someone out of the family to let us know she’s OK! Not in trouble.’
Her landlord also said she has not been home in the past week.
‘Police and family hold serious concerns for her welfare as her disappearance is out of character,’ NSW Police previously said in a statement.
Ms Forrest’s phone is off and she failed to turn up to work at her real estate agency job
Leesa Forrest’s boss at Ray White Narrabeen, Michael Ferguson, described her as ‘a lovely girl and a very nice person’.
‘Obviously we are all very concerned about where she is,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
Mr Ferguson said he could not comment on what Ms Forrest may have been wearing or doing when she was last seen.
Ms Forrest’s profile on the real estate agency’s website is filled with glowing testimonials from clients.
One couple said Ms Forrest found perfect buyers for their home.
‘She had found the perfect buyers with an above asking price. We can’t thank Leesa enough, we were able to purchase our dream home because of this. Great experience overall!’ they wrote.
Another client described Ms Forrest as ‘amazing’.
Ms Forrest is seen with her family celebrating Christmas in 2021
Ms Forrest (far right) is seen posing with her sister (left) and a friend
‘She arranged everything we needed to be done to the property prior to listing, kept us informed throughout and helped secure a great price,’ they said.
One property owner said she was a ‘pleasure’ to work with.
‘She was genuine and always had a professional and friendly manner. Very quick to respond to any queries we had throughout the process. We would highly recommend Leesa for her services,’ their review read.
Ms Forrest is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with a slim build and blonde hair.
She is believed to be driving a white Holden Cruze with NSW plates BJ-58-QQ, and is known to frequent Newport and Narrabeen.
Photos of Ms Forrest on social media show her celebrating Christmas with her sister and parents in 2021 in Bawley Point, near NSW’s South Coast.
Other snaps show Ms Forrest posing happily with her sister Lauren, with one photo showing the agent hugging her sibling while she twirls a firestick.
Her father Steve’s profile picture is a photo of his two daughters when they were in primary school.
Anyone with information into Ms Forrest’s whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Ms Forrest is seen with her sister and parents
