- ROLLING COVERAGE: This story will be updated through the day. For the latest updates, refresh your browser.
- TRIBUTE WALL: Leave a message for the family of Stephanie Scott
- RELATED: Leeton community 'absolutely devastated' at suspected murder of Stephanie Scott
- RELATED: Cleaner charged with murder
- RELATED: Cleaner underwent criminal checks, employer says
- RELATED: Stephanie Scott murder “tragic”: Piccoli
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A TOWN has been plunged into grief and loved ones are being forced to make funeral plans just days out from what was to be Stephanie Scott’s wedding.
News of the popular Leeton schoolteacher’s suspected murder has sparked a torrent of emotion in the close-knit community and tributes to a woman described as “a beautiful soul”.
More than 200 people were gathered outside Leeton High on Thursday afternoon, with yellow balloons, ribbons and flowers strewn across the front entrance.
Leeton mayor Paul Maytom said the town had been deeply affected by the tragedy.
“I’m still trying to come to terms with it,” Mr Maytom said.
"We have a small community, most people know each other or know the families in our shire, and to have someone like Stephanie, who's such a well-liked person, just about to be married next weekend ... it's just devastating."
Others took to social media to remember Ms Scott as a “beautiful, kind, loving teacher”.
“Thank you for being a brave educator. My sincerest and heartfelt gratitude to you fiancee and family for sharing such a beautiful individual with us,” Chrisse Lorenz posted.
Another posted: “She will not be forgotten. I am so sorry she will not be able to enjoy the life she planned”.
The education department has offered counselling to students when they return to school on Monday week.
In a day of drama, Leeton High cleaner Vincent Stanford was charged with murder, four days after the popular 26-year-old disappeared.
The charge comes after police allegedly found blood in a vehicle and a photograph on a camera of what is believed to be a burnt body.
Police began to home in on Mr Stanford on Wednesday after allegedly finding holes in his alibi.
When they questioned him they allegedly found a number of items linked to Ms Scott's death.
Ms Scott's car, a red Mazda 3 sedan with registration BZ-19-CD, was spotted by a helicopter on Thursday morning, abandoned in a wheat field about eight kilometres outside Leeton.
Ms Scott, a popular drama and English teacher, was last seen at the school on Easter Sunday, six days before she was due to marry her partner of five years, Aaron Leeson-Woolley.
Her body is yet to be recovered.
6.30pm: A PICTURE is slowly emerging of the man accused of killing Leeton teacher Stephanie Scott.
Vincent Stanford, 24, was a cleaner at the school where Ms Scott taught and had lived in the town for about a year after emigrating from Holland.
Described as polite and hardworking by neighbours, Stanford lived in the quiet street of Maiden Avenue with his mother and brother.
Neighbours on Maiden Avenue were shocked to discover police on their street after news of Ms Scott's disappearance had overwhelmed the small town.
"You just don't expect anything like this in this area," said Janice Cameron, who has lived for 34 years next to the house were Mr Stanford was arrested.
"It is a very quiet neighbourhood, we don't have any trouble."
Mrs Cameron said that Mr Stanford had moved into the area about a year ago, and that the resident in the house mostly kept to themselves.
One neighbour, who asked not to be named, described the accused's household as "beautiful people".
"They would always say hello in the street, just like everyone does when you live in a tiny town like ours."
She said she was extremely surprised to learn that Stanford had been arrested in connection with Ms Scott's death.
His employer, Albury-based the Joss Group, yesterday revealed he had passed compulsory police checks to work at the school.
5.45pm: A fundraising appeal to help the family of Stephanie Scott has already attracted thousands of dollars worth of support. Find out more about it here.
5.30pm: Leetonians have gathered outside Leeton High School as the town’s residents come together to remember Stephanie Scott.
5pm: “These things don’t happen in Leeton.”
As Leeton reels from the horror of Stephanie Scott’s murder, St Peter’s Father Robert Murphy isn’t the only one echoing such sentiment.
“It certainly is a dark day for Leeton and Stephanie’s family and friends,” Leeton mayor Paul Maytom said.
“Obviously everyone was holding out hope that Stephanie would be okay.
“It’s tragic, it’s sad and it’s just unbelievable that something like this could happen in our town. “
4pm: It has been a tragic week for Leeton, but residents have banded together to show their support for the family of Stephanie Scott.
Prior to the arrest of a man for the alleged murder of Miss Scott, residents were taking to the roads to see if they could locate the missing school teacher. Social media was used to post what areas had been covered.
Since then a “Go Fund Me” page has been set up, which aims to collect donations to assist the family. Read more here.
2.50pm: The murder case against Vincent Stanford was short today.
During a brief mention in Griffith Local Court, Stanford faced one charge of murder and did not apply for bail.
The case was adjourned and Stanford will appear before the same court via video link-up in June.
2.30pm: Just in from Stephen Mudd, who is at Griffith Courthouse.
”We’ve just heard from the court clerk that the man charged with murdering Leeton woman Stephanie Scott will not be appearing here today.”
Instead, he has been taken directly into custody. More details to come.
2pm: Area News reporter Stephen Mudd is on the ground in Griffith. You can follow his live stream here:
1.27pm: The nation’s heart is with Stephanie Scott and her family as Australians share their condolences and disbelief on social media networks.
So much so, “Stephanie Scott” is at the top of the Australia Twitter trends.
12.55pm: "Most people knew Stephanie and many people I've spoken to over the last few days have just been basically in shock trying to work out what may have happened, and obviously now are just devastated."
Leeton mayor Paul Maytom says it’s hard to find an unfamiliar face among his town’s 6700 residents, so when Stephanie Scott vanished on Sunday, the community rallied to find her.
The tragic news of her murder has shaken the town to its core, The Sydney Morning Herald reports.
"I'm still trying to come to terms with it," a shocked Cr Maytom said on Thursday.
"In the last few days everyone has just been talking about it in the town. For her to mysteriously disappear like that, everyone was hoping she was going to be found, and found alive. We didn't know what could have happened, and obviously I was not considering it would end up like this."
Cr Maytom said, in his role as mayor, he knew Ms Scott was a teacher at Leeton High School, but he did not know her personally.
He also knew her partner of five years, Aaron Leeson-Woolley, worked at the nearby JBS Riverina Beef Plant.
"I know a lot of people who work with him [Mr Leeson-Woolley] and I know that he has been absolutely so worried sick over the last few days, and then to have this news this morning is just absolutely devastating," he said.
"We have a small community, most people know of each other, they know all the families in our shire, and you know, to have someone like Stephanie who's such a well-liked person, and just about to be married next weekend, and her fiance working here in Leeton ... it's just absolutely devastating to hear the news.
12.40pm: School won’t be the same when students head back to Leeton High at the start of term two.
However, students and colleagues of murdered English and drama teacher Stephanie Scott will be offered counselling in the wake of her devastating death.
Griffith-based Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli has pledged his assistance to Ms Scott’s family.
“As the local MP, I will also offer whatever assistance I can to the Scott family during this particularly distressing time,” he said in a statement.
“It’s a tragedy for the tight-knit Leeton community and I know the town is devastated by what has occured.”
12.10pm: Griffith Local Area Command chief Superintendent Michael Rowan spoke to media outside Leeton police station a short while ago.
”We’ve charged this morning a 24-year-old male with the murder of Stephanie Scott,” Supt Rowan confirmed.
“He’s been formally bail refused by police. The arrest is the result of a numnber of inquiries we completed over the last number of days since Stephanie was reported missing.
“Stephanie’s body hasn’t been located at this time and obviously that is something that is a priority for us.”
Ms Scott’s red Mazda 3 has been recovered on a property near Wamoon. Key to the search for Ms Scott’s body is a white ute with a canopy, Supt Rowan said.
“In particular, we’re looking for a white Toyota Hilux two-wheel-drive coupe, it’s a spacecab model, and any movements or sightings of a vehicle similar to that description from Sunday in Leeton and the surrounding areas… if that information can be relayed to police through Crime Stoppers or direct to Griffith police.”
Crime Stoppers can be contacted by calling 1800 333 000.
Watch the full press conference here:
11.50pm: A message wall has been established in memory of Stephanie Scott.
11.10am: Police have confirmed that a man has been charged with murdering Stephanie Scott.
He will appear before Griffith Local Court today.
10.30am: Tributes for the popular English and drama teacher Stephanie Scott are pouring in on social media.
A page established on Wednesday, Get Steph Home, has been inundated with heartfelt messages to Ms Scott, her family and fiance.
10.15am: Police have allegedly found blood in a vehicle and a photograph of what is believed to be a burnt body in their investigations into Stephanie Scott’s disappearance, the Sydney Morning Herald has reported.
In custody is 24-year-old Vincent Stanford, a cleaner at Leeton High School, and he is expected to face Griffith Local Court today.
Fairfax Media understands police have seized the phone that contains photographic evidence.
Police began to home in on Mr Stanford on Wednesday after allegedly finding holes in his alibi. When they questioned him they allegedly found a number of items linked to Ms Scott's death.
8.30am: A man has been arrested over the disappearance of high school teacher Stephanie Scott and police say he is expected to be charged with her murder, just two days before she was due to get married.
Police arrested Vincent Stanford, 24, a cleaner at Leeton High School, at a home on Maiden Avenue in Leeton, in the NSW Riverina, about 7.30pm on Wednesday, and took him to Griffith police station for questioning.
Police said he was expected to be charged with the murder of Ms Scott, 26, a popular drama and English teacher from Leeton High School.
Mr Stanford is expected to appear before Griffith Local Court on Thursday.
Ms Scott was last seen at the school on Easter Sunday, six days before she was due to marry her partner of five years, Aaron Leeson-Woolley.
A NSW police spokeswoman said police had not recovered Ms Scott's body, and they were still searching for her car - a red Mazda 3 sedan with registration BZ-19-CD - that has not been seen since her disappearance.
Police also are appealing for anyone who has seen an older model white Toyota Hilux space-cab 2WD, with a canopy over the back, travelling in Leeton or surrounding towns since Sunday, to contact them.
On Wednesday, Ms Scott's sister, Robyn, told Fairfax Media that her sister was incredibly excited about her upcoming wedding, due to take place on Saturday in the central western NSW town of Eugowra.
More than 100 guests were due to attend the wedding, including family who had travelled from overseas.
"I spoke to her on that Saturday night, and she was over the moon, she was so excited. She had been to Griffith that day shopping and getting ready for the honeymoon," Robyn said.
Robyn said her sister had gone to Leeton High School on Easter Sunday morning to prepare lessons for a replacement teacher who would take over her English and drama classes while she was on honeymoon in Tahiti.
She said that, at 12.59pm on Easter Sunday, her sister sent an email to the bus company that was due to take wedding guests to the reception venue on Saturday. In the email, Ms Scott confirmed she had paid the final deposit into the bus company's bank account.
That was Ms Scott's last known action.
Police formed Strike Force Gundibri to investigate Ms Scott's disappearance.
Police said that, on Wednesday night, officers attended a home on Maiden Avenue, where they spoke to two residents.
About 7.30pm, another resident of the home – a 24-year-old man – arrived at the property and was arrested.
Paul Mayton, the mayor of Leeton Shire, said news of Ms Scott's suspected murder was "absolutely devastating".
"I'm still trying to come to terms with it," he said on Thursday.
"The last few days everyone's been talking about it in the town. For her to mysteriously disappear like that, everyone was hoping she was going to be found, and found alive. We didn't know what could have happened.
"I was not considering it would end up like this. We have a small community, most people know each other or know the families in our shire, and to have someone like Stephanie, who's such a well-liked person, just about to be married next weekend ... it's just devastating."
Cr Mayton said Ms Scott's fiance had been "absolutely worried sick" since her disappearance.
6.55am: A 24-year-old Leeton man has been arrested over the suspected murder of Stephanie Scott.
Ms Scott, 26, was last seen at her workplace – Leeton High School – on Myrtle Street, about 11am on Easter Sunday.
She was reported missing to police on Monday and detectives from the Griffith Local Area Command formed Strike Force Gundibri to investigate her disappearance.
On Wednesday evening, officers attended a home on Maiden Avenue, Leeton, where they spoke to two residents at the home.
Around 7.30pm, another resident of the home – a 24-year-old man – arrived at the property.
The man, Vincent Stanford, was arrested and taken to Leeton Police Station where he continues to assist police with their inquiries.
He is expected to be charged with Ms Scott’s murder and will appear before Griffith Local Court later today.
Her body has still not been located.
Officers still have not located Ms Scott and ask that anyone who may have seen her or her car – a red Mazda 3 sedan with registration BZ-19-CD – contact police.
Police are also keen to speak to anyone who may have seen an older model, white Toyota Hilux space-cab 2WD with a canopy over the back travelling in Leeton or surrounds since Sunday.
Anyone who was in the vicinity of Leeton High School on Sunday is also encouraged to contact Griffith Police on (02) 6969 4310 or via Crime Stoppers.
4.30pm: Stephanie Scott’s fiance Aaron Leeson-Woolley has confirmed plans are in place to cancel the couple’s wedding at Eugowra on the weekend.
“We've started cancelling the wedding,” he said.
Mr Leeson-Woolley said he could not comprehend what had happened.
“I don’t know what to think, I’ve been looking around, trying to track her phone,” he said.
Mr Leeson-Woolley said the last time Ms Scott had accessed her bank account was on Saturday.
He said the couple had been together five years and usually did not go more than a few hours without communicating.
“It's very out of character,” Mr Leeson-Woolley said.
He said when he was driving home to Leeton on Sunday, Ms Scott was not answering her phone.
Mr Leeson-Woolley said he believed her phone may have had a flat battery.
When he arrived home to an empty house he drove around Leeton but concluded she may have been visiting a relative.
Mr Leeson-Woolley said when she had not returned home on Monday morning he panicked and called police.
He described her as a “bubbly, vibrant, happy person”.
Mr Leeson-Woolley said she was very friendly.
He said she loved gardening, sewing and playing sport.
Mr Leeson-Woolley said she played soccer, volleyball, netball and touch.
He expressed his gratitude to the community.
“I’m very appreciative of everyone’s support,” Mr Leeson-Woolley said.
He said Ms Scott’s family was trying to hire a helicopter to broaden their search.
Mr Leeson-Woolley said he hoped Ms Scott would get in contact if she could.
“Try and ring me when you find a phone, ring police and come home please,” he said.
The couple, who are originally from Canowindra, have called Leeton home for three years.
4.10pm: A Facebook page titled “Get Steph Home” has now been created.
According to a post, the page has been set up so “people can discuss areas they have searched for Steph and all keep in contact while in Leeton or just for people who are looking for information to keep up on the progress (of finding Stephanie)”.
The page can be found at https://www.facebook.com/pages/GET-STEPH-HOME/933886106644610?fref=ts.
3.47pm: A spokesman from NSW Police Media said there were a number of reasons a police helicopter had not been used in the search for Leeton’s Stephanie Scott.
“From the information police have received it is believed the car is the best lead,” the spokesman said.
“We want to again appeal to the public to get in contact if they have seen the car or (Stephanie).”
However, there are reports the family has brought in a helicopter to conduct a search of the Leeton area.
1.40pm: Close friend of Stephanie Scott’s and fellow Leeton resident Melissa Carn has spoken out on her friend’s disappearance.
She said there was absolutely “no way” her friend had gotten cold feet.
“For people to be saying that is just cruel,” Mrs Carn said.
“There’s no way that has happened.
“I saw her Saturday and sat down with her at breakfast. I asked her about the wedding plans and she was so excited about it. She’s been wearing her wedding ring around the house.
“There’s no way at all that it’s cold feet.”
Mrs Carn was extremely concerned about her friend’s disappearance.
“It’s definitely out of character,” she said.
“It feels like it’s almost like a dream … like she’ll walk through the door at any moment and not know what all the fuss was about.
“We just want her home safe. It’s been three days now, so it’s starting to get scary.
“Everyone is extremely worried about her.”
1pm: Leeton United first grade coach Daniel Alampi has urged the community to band together and organise a co-ordinated search for Stephanie Scott.
“We’re pretty shocked,” Mr Alampi said.
“As local residents we think there should be a lot more done.”
Mr Alampi plays soccer with Ms Scott’s fiance Aaron Leeson-Woolley.
“We feel for Aaron and Stephanie’s family,” he said.
“They are sitting there not knowing what to do.”
Mr Alampi said he and his wife had been driving around the district and had visited Griffith in search of Ms Scott.
“No one knows where to look to be honest,” he said.
“We just feel like we have to help in some way. We would like to think that if something like this happens to us the community would help.”
12.52pm: Despite reports from some media outlets, NSW Police Media has confirmed a helicopter has not been flown from Sydney to Leeton to assist in the search for Stephanie Scott.
12.30pm: The NSW Department of Education and Communities has just released a statement regarding the disappearance of Stephanie Scott.
A spokesperson for the department said “as with any issue that might affect students, staff or a particular family, the school will work to support them as necessary”.
11.20am: Police have confirmed they aren’t conducting any ground searches for Stephanie Scott today, but have provided an image of a care similar to the one owned by Miss Scott.
Earlier this morning: The search for Stephanie Scott will continue today.
A spokeswoman for NSW Police confirmed this morning that there had been no updates overnight on the status of missing Miss Scott, who was last seen in Leeton on Sunday.
“We’re still looking for her,” she said.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Ms Scott, who along with her red Mazda 3 was reported missing on Monday, is urged to contact police via Crime Stoppers by calling 1800 333 000 or Griffith Police on 6969 4310.
A PINK “bride-to-be” sash draped over her shoulder, Stephanie Scott smiled playfully for the cameras at her hen’s party last month.
But just weeks later, the photos are being used to help in a frantic search for the popular high school teacher, who disappeared from Leeton at the weekend.
Due to marry Ms Scott this weekend, her fiance Aaron Leeson-Woolley issued a heartfelt plea for information to help unravel the mystery on Tuesday.
"I spoke to her on Saturday night, about 10.30pm. I was in Canowindra, back at mum and dad's place, and she was in Leeton," Mr Leeson-Woolley said.
"Everything seemed pretty fine.
"This is very out of character. I'm feeling pretty distressed.
"I don't really know to be honest. I don't know what could have happened."
Police say the 26-year-old Leeton High School English and drama teacher was last seen at her workplace about 11am on Easter Sunday.
News of her disappearance has spread like wildfire on social media, with reports she was also spotted near Leeton Woolworths about 1pm on Sunday.
Police hold grave concerns for her welfare and said she may be travelling in a red Mazda 3 sedan, with numberplates BZ-19-CD.
“The public are our eyes and ears and any information which could assist would be greatly appreciated,” Griffith Local Area Command crime manager Paul Smith said.
Reports of Miss Scott’s disappearance began circulating on Facebook on Monday, the day after she was reported missing.
A post by her brother Stuart Scott, calling for people to contact him or any members of the family if she was sighted, had been shared almost 2000 times since 4pm on Monday.
Miss Scott was reportedly looking forward to one of the biggest days of her life this weekend - her wedding to her partner of five years.
More than 100 family and friends were due to travel to the central western NSW town of Eugowra for the ceremony, a year after the couple became engaged in Thailand.
Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Griffith Police on 6969 4310.
LEETON woman Stephanie Scott, 26, was last seen on Easter Sunday.
Now her parents, family and fiancé are worried sick after not seeing or hearing from her for 48 hours and counting.
Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding Miss Scott’s disappearance.
Reports of Miss Scott’s disappearance began circulating on social media on Monday after she was reported missing on Sunday.
A post by Stuart Scott, calling for people to contact him or any members of the family if Miss Scott was sighted, has been shared almost 1500 times since 4pm on Monday.
It had been stated she was last seen near Leeton’s Woolworths supermarket around lunch time on Sunday.
However, police have said she was last seen at her workplace about 11am on Sunday.
Miss Scott works at Leeton High School where she teaches English and drama.
While her whereabouts are unknown, she may be travelling in a red Mazda 3 sedan with registration BZ-19-CD.
Police hold concerns for Miss Scott’s welfare as her disappearance is reported to be out of character.
Her fiancé Aaron Woolley encouraged anyone that may have seen or spotted Miss Scott to get in touch with himself, a family member or police.
“It’s really out of character,” he said.
“We’re really worried. (Someone) said they saw her at Woolworths around 1pm on Sunday, but no one has seen or heard anything since.
“We just want her to be okay.”
Miss Scott and Mr Woolley are due to be married on Saturday.
If you have seen or know anything about Miss Scott’s disappearance contact Leeton police on 6953 1399, Griffith Local Area Command on 6969 4310 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
