The family of 14-year-old Shyanne-Lee Tatnell, who was allegedly murdered in Tasmania, has hit back at online trolls who said the schoolgirl ‘never had a chance in life’ due to her troubled upbringing.
Shyanne-Lee was last seen on CCTV in April walking alone in the dark towards Henry Street bridge in Launceston, in the north of the state, while on her way to see a friend who lived 4.3km away.
A three-month search for the teenager ended in tragedy on Wednesday when detectives confirmed human remains had been found 52km away at Nabowla, in the state’s north-east.
Police swiftly sectioned off a property in nearby Scottsdale and thoroughly searched the place cadaver dogs and a team of forensics, before 36-year-old farmer Christopher Jordan was arrested and charged with murder.
In the following days, vile trolls lashed out online at Shyanne-Lee’s distraught family – wrongly blaming them for her behavioural issues.
The despicable comments come after it was revealed the teenager had been staying with her grandmother following a series of arguments with her mother, and that she had contacted a youth centre weeks before her death.
Shyanne-Lee Tatnell (pictured) went missing in April. Her remains were found in bushland on Wednesday
Trolls have lashed out at Shyanne-Lee’s family (pictured) – prompting her grandmother to hit back on Facebook
On Saturday, one troll said: ‘What happened to Shyanne was an absolute tragedy…her family have to take responsibility too.’
He incorrectly stated the teen was in the care of the state and made vile comments about her parents, adding the ‘poor kid never had a chance in life’.
The teenager’s grandmother, Tracy Ketchell, hit back on Facebook by sharing the post asking her friends: ‘Anyone know this low life?’
‘Shyanne’s mother is the most loving woman alive. Not only is she coming to terms with everything that’s happened, she has someone like you who knows absolutely nothing.’
‘Shyanne wasn’t in state care, go back and read the statements made and pull your f***ing head in.’
Daily Mail Australia previously revealed Shyanne-Lee had been in contact with Malana Youth at Risk Centre, which provides temporary accommodation and care to unaccompanied teens, in the two weeks before her disappearance.
She had also been staying with her grandmother in Burnie, north-west of Launceston where she was last seen, following a series of arguments with her mother Bobbi-Lee Ketchell, and was described by local youths as a ‘troubled teen’.
Shyanne-Lee’s mother Bobbi-Lee Ketchell is pictured at her Burnie home on Saturday
Nathan Spurr, Shyanne-Lee’s stepdad, said the family did not know of her accused killer prior to his arrest
Moments after Ms Ketchell shared the troll’s Facebook post on Saturday, friends flooded the comments section with messages of support and encouragement.
One said: ‘Keep strong people. It isn’t even about you at all . People who are mean to others after often angry and sad themselves. They seek pleasure in inflicting pain on others to make themselves feel good.
Another pointed out the comment was made by a troll whose profile picture was a stock image: ‘A troll account, who wouldn’t dare post thoughtless remarks like that under their own name.’
‘Condolences to your family on the loss of your beautiful Shyanne.’
Ms Ketchall replied: ‘Thank you so much, just don’t understand how many heartless people are in this world.’
Police will allege Jordan came across Shyanne-Lee on the night she vanished before taking her to his place where he murdered her, before later dumping her body 24km away in remote bushland.
The shocking allegations have rocked the small, tight-knit communities in the state’s north – including Shyanne-Lee’s hometown, Burnie – as both the teenager’s family and residents nervously spent the past few months hoping she would safely return home.
Farmer Christopher Jordan, 36, (pictured) has been charged over the alleged murder
Pictured: Police searching the property at Scottsdale (pictured) on Thursday
Speaking to Daily Mail Australia outside the family’s Burnie home on Saturday, Shyanne-Lee’s stepfather Nathan Spurr confirmed the alleged attack appeared to be random.
He told Daily Mail Australia neither he, Shyanne-Lee’s mother, nor the rest of the family knew of Jordan before his arrest.
Police are yet to reveal whether they believe Shyanne-Lee had any prior interactions with Jordan before they allegedly crossed paths in the moments after she was last seen on CCTV footage walking east along Henry Street about 8.30pm on April 30.
The devastating outcome is just another in a series of tragedies the family has faced in recent years, with Ms Ketchell having lost Shyanne-Lee’s younger brother, Xavier, who suffered from a rare genetic disorder, in late 2012.
Shyanne-Lee’s father Nathan Tatnell is currently incarcerated at Risdon Prison Complex, a maximum-security facility near Hobart.
The nature of Tatnell’s crimes cannot be detailed for legal reasons; however, he was sentenced to 12 years in jail in 2021, with a minimum term of six years.
If convicted, Jordan could also be sent to Risdon prison for men, which takes in criminals convicted under both Tasmanian and Commonwealth laws.
On the night she disappeared, she was walking from the Brisbane Street centre to see a friend in the suburb of Ravenswood, a 4.3km walk away.
Her last sighting captured on CCTV shows her walking alone through the dark on an industrial road towards Henry Street bridge.
The spot where she was last seen and the bridge – about 20m away – have been turned into makeshift memorials, with community members leaving bouquets, teddy bears, flowers and notes.
Jordan appeared in Launceston Court on Friday. Dressed in a blue parka and cargo pants, he appeared nonchalant as he glanced around the room from the dock.
He did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody until his next appearance on August 16.