Bamaga, Cape York - The search for missing person Jamilla Humphrey in one of Australia’s most remote settings near the tip of Cape York was abandoned on Saturday leaving more speculation than answers in the increasingly baffling mystery.

Humphrey, 52, from Toukley, NSW, was last seen at the Jardine River Ferry Crossing around 1pm on Friday, August 23. Her two wheel drive Mitsubishi van was discovered bogged nearby on the iconic Telegraph Track, a haven for the most adventurous off road enthusiasts, on August 29.

Police believe the vehicle could have been abandoned about 3 kilometres south of the Jardine River as early as Saturday, August 24, and she may have walked away from the bogged vehicle to look for help.

Strangely, Ms Humphrey’s phone and wallet were left in the van.

Police, SES and Indigenous rangers have combed the area for more than a fortnight, an Aboriginal tracker who learned his craft from legendary tracker Barry Port, also assisting in the investigation.

As ground and air search operations kicked into full swing, with a number of aerial assets, police told media on September 2 they believed Ms Humphrey could have walked away from her vehicle to find assistance.

“We understand that she was travelling alone with the intention of travelling to the tip of Australia,’’ Cairns Detective Inspector Kevin Goan said.

“It’s concerning to us that she has left her vehicle; the vehicle was located in a bogged state.

“Jamilla’s personal effects appear untouched within the vehicle, which would give rise to the fact that she’s walked off, away from the vehicle, likely seeking help.’’

Ms Humphrey’s disappearance was first reported with concerns for her welfare raised on August 20 when she was unable to be located or contacted after leaving her Toukley, NSW, home. Officers attached to Tuggerah Lakes Police District, NSW Central Coast, raised concerns for her whereabouts.

Police have released new images of Ms Humphrey from those releases at that time, with footage from Jardine River Ferry Crossing showing her hair had been cut and dyed brown.

The search efforts finding little and drip feeding of information rolling up the track to the Tip, including suggestions Ms Humphrey has “gone missing” on two other occasions, have done little but fuel speculation across the Cape.

“I reckon a croc’s got her,’’ a young Irish lad working at Archer River Roadhouse said.

“She’s gone down to the river and gone… they might never find her.’’

The crocodile attack theory has emerged as the most likely based on local opinion.

Jardine River Ferry operator Charles Woosup says he hopes the missing person had not tried to swim across the river.

“There is a big croc in the river,’’ he said. “But maybe she had someone waiting to pick her up.’’

Charles was not on duty when Ms Humphrey booked a trip across the river on the ferry, but his colleagues said she crossed and came back almost straight away, asking for a refund of the $130 fee.

“They say she was in NSW on August 20 but she was here by August 23…. She must have really been moving to get here.’’

The trip is more than 3300 kilometres and takes in some of the worst roads imaginable.

Others along the track, including a Coen shopkeeper and tourists at the infamous Croc Tent near the Tip, have other theories.

Earlier this year, two men faced court over a $44 million cocaine haul, caught unloading 110kg of the substance at remote Seisia wharf.

“There’s been some bad business, drugs running up that way in recent times. If they have any involvement in that, anything could have happened to them,’’ one lady said.

“We hear this is not the first time this person has gone missing,’’ said another.

“They went missing in Alice Springs and the Grampians at other times and turned up with an altered identity, is what has been suggested.