Naked woman last seen going for ocean swim

20.07.2010

Lancelin woman Andrea Kusters was feared dead last
night after a friend said she saw her going for an ocean
swim naked, shortly before she was reported missing.
A land, sea and air search for the 46-year-old was
launched on Sunday evening after Mrs Kusters' bicycle
and clothing was found in a beach car park at Eddie's
Point. The search was escalated when Mrs Kusters
failed to show up at home yesterday.
Police were keeping an open
mind as to her whereabouts until
Suzanne Pember, a friend of Mrs
Kusters, told officers late yesterday
afternoon that she saw the
masseuse take her clothes off
and enter the water at about
2pm on Sunday.
"She brought her bike and
trailer and parked against the
dune, went down and had a look
at the surf," she said. "There
were other people down on the
beach. She took off her khaki track pants and blue singlet
... and then took off her bikini. I said 'Andrea,
you're not going in like that'. She said 'I am'."
Ms Pember, who has known Mrs Kusters for six
years, said she watched her friend swimming in the
water and that was the last time she saw her. Ms Pember
said when she returned from a walk on the beach at
6.20pm, she was concerned to see Mrs Kusters' bike
and trailer in the same place.
Sgt Adam Mack, from Lancelin police, said the
sighting further heightened fears for Mrs Kusters' welfare
and the rescue effort would turn to recovery today.
The Kusters have lived in Lancelin for 18 years since
moving to Australia from Germany.
Sgt Mack said he spoke to Mr Kusters in Germany
yesterday, where he had travelled following the death of
his mother. He was staying with Mrs Kusters' parents.