Heartbreaking update for Shyanne-Lee Tatnell family after man accused of murdering 14-year-old girl
The remains found during the search for a missing teenager in Tasmania have now been officially identified as belonging to Shyanne-Lee Tatnell.
DNA tests confirmed they belonged to the 14-year-old who was last seen alive in Launceston in April this year.
Police acting on a tip Wednesday found human remains 32 miles away in Nabowla, in the state’s northeast, before quickly taping and searching Jordan’s nearby Scottsdale property, sending cadaver dogs and specialist divers to search a dam to search.
Christopher Jordan, 36, was arrested Thursday over her death. He was a complete stranger to her family.
A farmer, Christopher Jordan, 36, has been charged with the alleged murder of teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell (pictured)
Police will claim that Jordan encountered Shyanne-Lee the night she disappeared before taking her to his home where he killed her, before later dumping her 15 miles away in remote bushland.
Tasmania police identified the remains through DNA testing on Monday afternoon.
“Our thoughts (are) with Shyanne-Lee’s family,” they said in a statement.
The shocking allegations have rocked small, tight-knit communities in the north of the state, including Shyanne-Lee’s hometown of Burnie, as both the teen’s family and residents spent the past few months nervously hoping they return home safely.
Shyanne-Lee’s stepfather, Nathan Spurr, spoke to Daily Mail Australia outside the Burnie family home on Saturday and confirmed that the alleged attack appeared to be random.
He told Daily Mail Australia that neither he, Shyanne-Lee’s mother Bobbi-Lee Ketchell, nor the rest of the family knew Jordan before his arrest.
Police have yet to reveal whether they believe Shyanne-Lee had previous interactions with Jordan before they crossed paths in the moments after she was last seen on CCTV walking east on Henry Street around 8:30pm on April 30.
Jordan made a brief appearance in Launceston Magistrates Court on Friday and pleaded no murder charges.
He has been remanded in custody and is expected to appear in court on August 16.
The devastating outcome is yet another in a string of tragedies the family has faced in recent years, with Ms Ketchell losing Shyanne-Lee’s younger brother, Xavier, in late 2012, who suffered from a rare genetic condition.
Daily Mail Australia can also reveal that Shyanne-Lee’s father, Nathan Tatnell, is currently incarcerated at Risdon Prison Complex, a maximum security facility near Hobart.
Shyanne-Lee’s mom Bobbi-Lee Ketchell is photographed Saturday at her home in Burnie
Nathan Spurr, Shyanne-Lee’s stepfather, said the family knew nothing about her alleged killer before his arrest
The past three months have been hell for Bobbi-Lee Ketchell (left) as police investigate Shyanne-Lee’s disappearance
The nature of Tatnell’s crimes cannot be described for legal reasons; however, he was sentenced to 12 years in prison in 2021, with a minimum term of six years.
If convicted, Jordan could also be sent to Risdon Prison for Men, which holds criminals convicted under both Tasmanian and Commonwealth laws.
The prison has housed the state’s most notorious inmates, including Port Arthur Massacre gunman Martin Bryant, who is serving a life sentence, as well as the late mobster turned celebrity Mark ‘Chopper’ Read.
Notorious prisoners include international cricket umpire and convicted child molester Steve Randell and child murderer James O’Neill.
Shyanne-Lee – who would have turned 15 on August 8 – spent the two weeks before her disappearance at the Malana Youth at Risk Center, which is run by the non-profit organization Youth Family and Community Connections.
Before that, she stayed with her grandmother in Burnie after moving out of the nearby family home after a series of arguments.
Nathan Tatnell (pictured), Shyanne-Lee’s father, was jailed in 2021 and is currently behind bars in Risdon Prison. His crimes cannot be described for legal reasons
Farmer Christopher Jordan, 36, (pictured) has been charged with the alleged murder
According to the website, Malana Youth at Risk Center is “a specialist homelessness service” providing “temporary accommodation and care” to “unaccompanied children and young people aged 12-15”.
Youths from Launceston told the Daily Mail Australia that Shyanne-Lee had been staying in several youth homes in northern Tasmania and was a “troubled teenager”, while her mother previously said she suffered from behavioral problems and depression.
On the night she disappeared, she was walking from downtown Brisbane Street to a friend in the suburb of Ravenswood, 2.7 miles away.
Her latest sighting, captured on CCTV, shows her walking alone through the dark on an industrial road toward the Henry Street bridge.
The spot where she was last seen and the bridge – about 20 meters away – have been turned into makeshift memorials, with community members leaving bouquets, teddy bears, flowers and notes.
“Rest in peace, beautiful girl, taken too soon from this cruel world,” one wrote.
“Fly high with the angels.”
Another note began: “Rest in peace, Shyanne.
“I am so sad for your family and for your innocent soul (allegedly) taken away. You will be in our hearts forever.’
Jordan appeared at Launceston Court on Friday. Dressed in a blue parka and cargo pants, he looked casual as he looked around the room from the dock.
He did not apply for bail and was taken into custody until his next appearance on August 16.