A woman who had been missing for almost a week has been found alive and safe.
Samantha Heberlein, 33, was disappeared after her Kia Sportage broke down in Tamboon, on the south-east coast of Victoria, at 8.15am on Friday.
Victoria Police confirmed she was ‘located safe and well in North Melbourne’ on Wednesday night following an intense search.
Police believe Ms Heberlein was able to hitchhike to Bairnsdale, about two hours west of Tamboon, before catching a train to Melbourne’s eastern suburbs.
Point Cook woman Samantha Heberlein (pictured), 33, has been found safe having been reported missing almost a week ago
The out-of-character disappearance prompted police and the SES to launch a massive search across the state’s east.
Ms Heberlein’s family had raised concerns for her welfare due to a medical condition.
The last confirmed contact with her – prior to her discovery – was with a passer-by who had stopped to help her with her broken down car.
Ms Heberlein was reportedly seen on CCTV at a shopping centre in Mount Waverley, in East Melbourne, on Sunday.
