Vehicle located during search for Australian cold case victim

A vehicle has been located during a fresh search in Australia for the remains a teenager who went missing 25 years ago.

Melissa Trussell was 15-years-old when she vanished in 2000.

Trussell and her mother, Rosemary Brown, aged 33 at the time, were last seen leaving their home in Blair Athol, about 6km north of Adelaide's CBD, at about 2.30am on Saturday, May 13, 2000.

The body of Melissa’s mother, Rosemary Brown was found in mangroves at Garden Island on July 2, 2000.

A fresh search was launched today after a new location was identified duringa comprehensive cold case review of the original investigation. The review also resulted in new leads being pursued by South Australia Police's major crime investigation branch detectives.

The police, including their water operations unit, today conducted a fresh search on Garden Island for the remains of Trussell and located a vehicle within the search area.

"A section of the front grill was retrieved to assist with identification of the vehicle," it said.

"Further enquiries are being conducted by Major Crime to determine whether the vehicle is connected with the murder of Rosemary Brown and suspected murder of Melissa Trussell.

"Dependent on the results of those enquiries, attempts may be made to recover the vehicle for further examination."

South Australia Police said the search was also suspended this evening, and "will be continued on another day".

Earlier this month, Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said police hoped someone with information would do the right thing and come forward.

"No one has been charged for any offences relating to the disappearance of Rosemary and Melissa at this time," he said.

A reward of up to NZ$1,090,000 (AU$1,000,000) has been offered for information leading to the conviction of those responsible for the suspected murder of Trussell, while a reward of up to NZ$218,000 (AU$200,000) has been offered for the same in Brown's case.