Heartbreaking update for family of Shyanne-Lee Tatnell after man was charged with murdering the 14-year-old girl

A body discovered in Tasmanian bushland has been formally identified as missing teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell. 

DNA testing confirmed the remains belonged to the 14-year-old who was last seen alive in Launceston in April this year. 

Police acting on a tip-off found human remains 52km away at Nabowla, in the state’s north-east, on Wednesday. 

They swiftly taped off and scoured a nearby Scottsdale property, sending in cadaver dogs and specialist divers to search a dam. 

Christopher Jordan, 36, was arrested and charged on Thursday over her death. He was a complete stranger to her family.

A farmer, Christopher Jordan, 36, has been charged after allegedly murdering teenager Shyanne-Lee Tatnell (pictured)

Police will allege Jordan came across Shyanne-Lee on the night she vanished before taking her to his Scottsdale property where he murdered her, before later dumping her body 24km away in remote bushland. 

On Monday afternoon Tasmanian Police formally identified Miss Tatnell’s remains through DNA testing.

‘Our thoughts (are) with Shyanne-Lee’s family,’ they said in a statement.

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. 

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 Bobbi-Lee Ketchell, 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. 

Jordan briefly appeared in Launceston Magistrates Court on Friday and did not enter a plea to one count of murder.

He has been remanded in custody and is expected to next appear in court on August 16.

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

The last three months have been a living hell for Bobbi-Lee Ketchell (left) as police investigated Shyanne-Lee’s disappearance

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. 

Daily Mail Australia can also reveal 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. 

The jail has housed the state’s most infamous inmates, including Port Arthur Massacre gunman Martin Bryant, who is serving a life sentence, as well as the late gangster-turned-celebrity Mark ‘Chopper’ Read. 

Nathan Tatnell (pictured), the father of Shyanne-Lee, was jailed in 2021 and is currently behind bars at Risdon prison. His crimes cannot be detailed for legal reasons

Farmer Christopher Jordan, 36, (pictured) has been charged over the alleged murder

Shyanne-Lee Tatnell tragic timeline 

April: Leaves family home in Burnie to move into youth centre in Launceston 

April 30: She is seen for the last time walking over the Henry St Bridge  on the way to meet a friend in nearby Ravenswood

June 30: Police finally track down the driver of the last car to be traced from the footage and eliminate them from the enquiry

July: A crucial tip off from the public moves the search to Nabowla and Scottsdale 

July 26: Human remains found in remote bushland near Nabowla

July 27: 36-year-old man arrested and charged with murder

August 8: Shyanne-Lee would have celebrated her 15th birthday

Among other notorious prisoners are international cricket umpire and convicted child molester Steve Randell and child killer James O’Neill. 

Shyanne-Lee – who would have turned 15 on August 8 – had been staying at Malana Youth at Risk Centre, which is run by non-for profit organisation Youth Family and Community Connections, in the two weeks before her disappearance. 

Prior to that, she had been staying with her grandmother in Burnie after leaving her nearby family home after a series of rows. 

According to its website, Malana Youth at Risk Centre ‘is a specialist homelessness service’ that provides ‘temporary accommodation and care’ to ‘unaccompanied children and young people aged between 12 and 15 years’. 

Launceston youths told Daily Mail Australia Shyanne-Lee had been known to stay at various youth homes across northern Tasmania and was a ‘troubled teen’, with her mother previously saying she suffered from behavioural issues and depression. 

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.

‘Rest peacefully, beautiful girl, taken from this cruel world too soon,’ one person wrote.

‘Fly high with the angels.’

Another note began: ‘Rest in peace, Shyanne.

‘I am so sad for your family and for your innocent soul [allegedly] taken away. You will forever be in our hearts.’

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. 

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