Human remains found after search for missing teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell

Human remains have been found in the search for missing teen Shyanne-Lee Tatnell., Tasmania Police have said.

The remains were located on a bush track at Nabowla, west of Scottsdale, after a huge ground and air search on Wednesday.

Shyanne-Lee went missing almost three months ago on April 30.

Northern District Commander Kate Chambers said a crime scene had been declared at a property at Scottsdale as well as the scene where the remains were found.

The connection between the two locations has not been confirmed and no arrests have been made, but officers declared that the investigation now likely had a “criminal element.”

“It is with a heavy heart that I can confirm that remains were located late this afternoon during our extensive search,” Commander Chambers said.

“While these have not yet been forensically confirmed, they are believed to be human remains.

“We have been in regular contact with Shyanne-Lee’s family throughout the investigative process, and have notified them about this latest development. Our thoughts continue to be with them and Shyanne-Lee’s loved ones during this difficult time.”

Police said they were “following a specific line of inquiry, however no charges have been laid at this stage.”

Tasmania Police, with the assistance of New South Wales, Australia Police, the Australian Federal Police, SES and volunteers, launched what’s believed to be Northern Tasmania’s largest police operation on Wednesday in the search for clues as to Shyanne-Lee’s whereabouts.

A specialist cadaver dog was also brought in from NSW to scour the North Esk River.

When asked why those resources were not brought in previously, Detective Inspector Andrew Hanson said the investigation had turned to one that’s exploring a “criminal element”.

“There was always the potential for some sort of criminal element to be involved,” he said on Wednesday afternoon.

“We are out there this week to explore the information and validate it.

“Our investigative team has spent considerable time scouring CCTV, interviewing witnesses, and meticulously following up every lead.

“Our search efforts this week are as a result of our commitment to locate Shyanne-Lee. We are doing everything in our power to make that happen.”

Police will provide a further update at noon Thursday.