Melbourne park being searched by police investigating disappearance of Epping mother

“Victoria Police can confirm a 35-year-old Doncaster man was taken into custody around 6.15pm last night at Melbourne Airport,” a police spokesman said on Thursday.

“He remains in custody and police will speak to him again today. The investigation into the disappearance of Epping woman Ju ‘Kelly’ Zhang remains ongoing.”

Detectives have appealed for anyone who witnessed any suspicious activity in the Darebin Creek Reserve area in Ivanhoe West on February 1 or February 2 to come forward, and are asking anyone who lives in the Epping, Doncaster and Ivanhoe West areas to check their CCTV and dashcam footage.

Police have also amended the description of what Ms Zhang, who was also known as Kelly, was wearing on the night she was last seen.

They now believe she was wearing a pink nightgown and possibly pink slippers when she went missing.

Ms Zhang was last seen at the home she shares with her eight-year-old son on Winchester Avenue in Epping about 5.30pm on February 1.

The 33-year-old had no personal belongings with her other than her mobile phone, which has not been located.

She was reported missing the following evening, February 2. Mr Tan was initially interviewed by detectives from the missing persons squad on Monday and released by police without charge.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told ABC Radio Melbourne on Thursday morning that Mr Tan had been taken into custody at the airport and was being interviewed, adding Mr Tan remained a person of interest and that they were not seeking anyone else in relation to the mother’s disappearance.

“We still hold significant concerns for her, quite clearly, but last night we took into custody her partner, again, at the airport,” he said.

“He’s a person of interest to us. The investigation has progressed from when he was last interviewed.

On Tuesday, police returned to her home to collect CCTV and speak to residents.

They are also appealing for information about the movements of a black 2008 Mazda CX9 station wagon, with registration WKE 850, believed to be Mr Tan’s car, and a white Toyota Land Cruiser in Epping and Doncaster between 4pm on February 1 and 8am on February 2 – the night that Ms Zhang went missing.

Police say anyone who sights Ms Zhang is urged to contact triple zero immediately, and anyone with other information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.