Overview
- Major Crime detectives began the search on Thursday at a one-square-kilometre Burnda Road property in Compton, west of Mount Gambier.
- The operation is expected to run for two days with assistance from STAR Group officers, State Emergency Service volunteers and local police.
- Police say they now believe Ms Bernie was murdered, and the search aims to locate her remains.
- Bernie, 34 at the time, was last seen at her Mount Gambier home on January 23, 1988 and was reported missing on February 10 by her sister.
- Detective Superintendent Darren Fielke said the review-driven search has the support of her family and urged anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers.