DESPERATE SEARCH INTENSIFIES: Police Hunt for Missing 15-Year-Old Emma-Lee Kowlaski in WA’s Peel Region Enters Critical Week

Mandurah, Western Australia – February 21, 2026 — Western Australia Police are ramping up their urgent appeal for public assistance in locating 15-year-old Emma-Lee Kowlaski, who has now been missing for nearly one week from the Mandurah area in the Peel region. The teenager, who goes by the preferred name “Lee,” was last confirmed in the Mandurah vicinity on Saturday morning, February 14, 2026. Growing welfare concerns have escalated the case, with officers now believing she may have traveled to Perth City or beyond.

Updated police inquiries have revealed a crucial new sighting: Emma-Lee was spotted around 10:40am on Sunday, February 15, 2026, walking on Barrack Street in Perth’s CBD. She was wearing a blue top, black shorts, and carrying a backpack at the time. No further confirmed sightings have emerged since, and there has been no activity on her phone, bank accounts, or social media—deepening fears for her safety as a vulnerable young person potentially on foot or relying on limited resources.

Emma-Lee is described as about 177cm (5’10”) tall with a slim build, blue eyes, and long light brunette hair that can appear reddish depending on lighting. Family and friends note she occasionally uses public payphones for contact, with reports of a call from a Murray Street payphone in Perth shortly after her disappearance. This detail has fueled speculation in community forums about her movements toward the city, though police stress no evidence of foul play has been established—yet the lack of communication remains alarming.

The Peel region, encompassing Mandurah’s coastal canals, beaches, and suburban sprawl just south of Perth, has become the focal point of the search. Volunteers and locals have distributed flyers in shopping centers, transport hubs, and parks, while online groups like Mandurah Communities and Australian missing persons pages amplify appeals. Her mother’s emotional social media posts highlight the agony: days without word from a “quiet, independent” teen who vanished without explanation.

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Western Australia’s Mandurah

Mandurah Police have conducted extensive checks, including CCTV reviews from Mandurah’s busy areas and Perth’s streets, door-knocks, and patrols. “Concerns are held for her welfare,” WA Police reiterated in their latest statement. “She may be in the Perth area but could have traveled elsewhere.” The public is urged to check any recent encounters—perhaps spotting someone matching her description at bus stops, beaches, or accommodations.

This case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by teenagers in regional Australia, where busy holiday destinations like Mandurah can make disappearances all too easy. Community support has poured in, with shares urging vigilance amid fears she could be in distress due to her age and isolation.

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As the search pushes into its seventh day, every detail matters. Police continue to follow leads, while family holds onto hope for her safe return. The Peel region’s serene landscapes—canals, beaches, and paths—now carry an undercurrent of worry.

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Anyone with information, no matter how small, is implored to contact Mandurah Police or Crime Stoppers immediately on 131 444. Anonymous tips are welcome. Time is critical—bringing Emma-Lee home safely depends on the community’s eyes and ears.