The three-month search for Shyanne-Lee Tatnell (pictured) took a tragic turn when her remains were found in bushland last month
Relatives of murdered teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell have come to blows over a memorial set up by kind-hearted strangers to mark the spot where the 14-year-old was last seen.
Shyanne-Lee disappeared while walking to a friend’s house along a dark industrial road in Launceston on the evening of April 30, with CCTV footage capturing her walking east towards the Henry Street bridge.
After a major three-month police investigation, her remains were found on July 26 in remote bushland 52 km away near Nabowla. Farmer Chris Jordan, 36, who was not known to her family, has since been charged with murder.
As the small, tight-knit community faces the tragedy, locals have gathered to find a way to support the teen’s devastated family, who live 90 miles northwest in Burnie.
A woman took to a local Facebook page to seek advice on ways the community could remember the young girl and let her loved ones know they were not alone in their grief.
“I don’t want any hate for this, it’s just an idea,” she began.
Shyanne-Lee (left) is pictured with her mother Bobbie Ketchell (center) and grandmother Tracey Ketchell (right)
“I wanted to reach out to Shyanne’s mother out of respect, but I thought that as a community, could there ever come a day when we all get together and place teddy bears, flowers and candles at the bridge for Shyanne where she was last seen?
“I don’t know who to contact about this.”
The post sparked heated debate with some suggesting the woman should first contact the family for permission, while others said the family should be left alone to grieve.
However, the woman’s question soon caught the attention of Shyanne-Lee’s paternal grandmother, Michelle Hubbard, who was touched by the sentiment.
“I think this would be a nice gesture in honor of Shyanne’s life,” Ms. Hubbard said.
Shyanne’s story has touched the lives of so many and her family greatly appreciates the love shown for her and her family over the past three months and during this horrible time.
“If people would like to leave flowers, hugs and candles to help their own grief over this shocking end result, please do.”
Shyanne-Lee’s paternal grandmother, Michelle Hubbard (pictured), was moved by community members who left tributes to her granddaughter along a bridge in Launceston
However, maternal grandmother Tracey Ketchell said she did not want locals to associate the bridge with Shyanne-Lee’s disappearance.
Ms Hubbard said the family was aware of the toll Shyanne’s death had taken on the whole community and that this ‘horror story’ would affect all Tasmanians for many, many years to come.
“No one ever wants their child to be remembered in this way as the sweet little innocent girl who was (allegedly) murdered and dumped to rot,” she said.
“We would be honored if you would place a floral memorial to Shyanne on Henry St.
Thank you on behalf of her family. It gives us some comfort to know how much our little girl was thought of and loved.”
However, Shyanne-Lee’s maternal grandmother, Tracey Ketchell, disagreed.
“I’m sorry I upset anyone here. I don’t treat the bridge as a memorial. I just can’t,” Mrs. Ketchell remarked.
“I’m not saying you can’t as I know a lot of people have been touched by Shyanne, I just don’t want Shyanne to be remembered as the girl who went missing from there when people walked over.”
Tribute seen on the Henry Street bridge where Shyanne was last seen on the night of her disappearance
The spot where she was last seen and the bridge – about 20 meters away – have been turned into makeshift memorials, with members of the community leaving teddy bears, flowers and notes
A collection of flowers, notes and teddy bears had already begun to gather on the bridge ahead of the woman’s mail as locals came by in the pouring rain to pay their respects to the young girl.
A second memorial was erected about 20 yards away to mark the spot where Shyanne was last captured on security footage, with dozens of girls’ hair ribbons tied to a railing.
“Rest in peace beautiful girl, taken too soon from this cruel world,” read a note on the site.
“Fly high with the angels.”
Another 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.’
Farmer Christopher Jordan, 36, (pictured) has been charged with the alleged murder
Police sealed his property near Scottsdale (pictured) as forensic experts and search teams moved in
Police will allege that Jordan encountered Shyanne-Lee in the moments after she was last seen on CCTV at around 8:30 p.m. on April 30 before the pair returned to his estate in Scottsdale, a 37-mile drive to the northeast.
Australians streamed online last Saturday night to share photos of lights left at home to pay tribute to Shyanne-Lee
A child’s father allegedly killed her there before dumping her body on a remote dirt track 15 km west of Nabowla.
Jordan was arrested and charged on Thursday, July 27 – the day after Shyanne’s remains were found following a tip-off to police.
He appeared in Launceston local court a day later – last Friday – where he was remanded in custody to appear again on August 16.
Meanwhile, as the nation continues to come to terms with the tragedy, people from across Australia left lights on in their homes last Saturday night in tribute to Shyanne.
Her family has also organized a community picnic to be held at Launceston City Park at noon on August 6 to mark Shyanne-Lee’s 15th birthday.
“As the 8th is her official birthday, we would like our privacy on that day,” the family wrote in a message.
“You are all so appreciated and without the love and support of those who cared about us, we wouldn’t have been able to feel that others cared that she came home to us.”