EXCLUSIVE
The phone and social media accounts of a Vietnamese exchange student who disappeared from her host family’s home remain deactivated more than three weeks after she went missing.
Sunnie Nguyen, 17, had dinner with her host family at their home in South Plympton, south Adelaide, on the evening of January 8 before she was later found missing from her room.
The Year 11 student’s phone was also immediately switched off and social media accounts shut down.
Sunnie’s host mother May Zervaas told Daily Mail Australia she has been keeping an eye on her accounts for the past week, hoping one would come to life.
“The day she went missing, when I tried to call her number, it said ‘check the number and try again,'” she said.
“I checked the number and social media, but still nothing.”
Ms Zervaas said she was heartbroken by Sunnie’s disappearance and concerned for her welfare.
Sunnie Nguyen, 17, (pictured) went missing from her host family’s home in South Plympton on January 8
“It hurts me,” she said.
“When she was here, she was a good girl. She was very respectful and would do anything I asked. I don’t know why this happened.
“I just wish she’s okay.”
Sunnie is one of four international students reported missing in the Adelaide area between December 2023 and January 2024.
South Australian police believe the teens are on the run and “actively evading authorities.”
“All lines of inquiry in the investigation indicate that some of these youths may have made the interstate journey and may remain there,” an SA Police spokesperson said.
“There is currently nothing from any investigation to indicate that these young people are in immediate danger and it appears that they are actively evading police.
“SA Police continue to work with interstate police colleagues and AFP to help locate these young people.”
SA Police said they have since been able to make contact with the families of the young people in Vietnam, who have shared no concerns about the students’ welfare.
Ms Zervaas checked Sunnie’s room at around 11pm on January 8 when she discovered the teenager had disappeared – along with her backpack, laptop, some important identity documents and some clothing.
Her daughter Mary said they were very concerned because Sunnie was very shy and had difficulty speaking English.
“She has come out of her shell with the students here and with us, but when we go out in public she still gets other people to talk for her,” Mary said at the time.
Sunnie is described as ‘very nice’ but very shy
‘When she first arrived, if she went out alone, she would come home almost straight away because she didn’t speak English.
‘We have done our best to teach her English and encourage her to speak English at home. She has improved a lot, but not enough to get by.”
Daily Mail Australia understands that each case is treated as a separate case.
At the time of Sunnie’s disappearance, a Vietnamese community leader in Adelaide said the missing students may have traveled interstate.
“I hope this is the case because 17-year-old children want to go somewhere together because of the school holidays and don’t want to tell anyone,” said Lien Nguyen-Navas of the Vietnamese Women’s Association.
“I hope that was the case.”
The Zervaas family hopes that if Sunnie sees this story, she will contact them and let them know that she is doing well.
Sunnie is known to regularly visit Adelaide’s CBD, Marion and South Plympton.
Anyone with information is urged to contact SA Police on 131 444 using report number 2400009568.