The car belonging to missing Northern Rivers woman Yvonne Whear has been recovered from the Rous River near Murwillumbah almost seven months after she vanished.

Police divers recovered the 73-year-old’s gold Ford Escape from the river near Dulguigan Road on Saturday after receiving information a vehicle was on the riverbed.

The location is less than 10km from Ms Whear’s Dungay home.

Police established a crime scene and the vehicle has undergone forensic examination, with further mechanical examinations also being carried out.

Several personal items believed to belong to Ms Whear were recovered from the vehicle, but she was not inside and remains missing.

The discovery is a major development in the investigation into her disappearance on February 19.

Ms Whear was last seen on CCTV at a Murwillumbah service station before her vehicle was recorded travelling along Queensland Road towards Dungay.

Evidence subsequently found at her home indicated she had returned there that afternoon.

Yvonne Whear – and (main image) the car identified as her vehicle pulled from the Rous River on Saturday (Photo: Seven News)

Her phone’s last recorded signal the following morning placed it in the Dulguigan area, close to where her vehicle has now been recovered.

The car was initially located by independent search group Sun State Search using sonar equipment before police divers recovered it.

Ms Whear’s daughter Gillian Hallac said the discovery had reinforced her longstanding fear that her mother may have met with foul play.

Police have previously said there is no evidence to suggest Ms Whear intended to voluntarily disappear.

Investigations are continuing and anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.