Mannequin replica of missing mother Karen Ristevski is placed near her Melbourne home one month after she disappeared - in the hope it will 'jog people's memories'

• Karen Ristevski, 47, was last seen on June 29 at her home in Melbourne 
• Police have released a life-size mannequin of her to 'jog people's memory'
• Mannequin was put behind an information caravan set up near her house
• Detectives have doorknocked area near her home to look for new evidence
• Her stepson has been interviewed and claimed there was a family conflict

Police have released a life-sized mannequin replica of missing Melbourne mother Karen Ristevski in the hope it might 'jog people's memories' and help with an ongoing investigation to find her.

The mannequin is eerily dressed exactly as Mrs Ristevski was when she disappeared a month ago, complete with a dark brown wig, designer Coach clutch and handbag, black jeans and black coat.  

Mrs Ristevski was last seen at her Avondale Heights home, in Melbourne's north-west, about 10am on June 29 after she went for some fresh air after a heated discussion with her husband, Borce.

The mannequin was placed at the back of an information caravan police set up near her home by police on Milleara Road on Wednesday morning ahead of a day of further neighbourhood probing.

Inspector Stephen Dennis told reporters that officers would be handing out information leaflets and conducting door knocks in the area, while mounted police searched parklands near her home.

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It comes amidst news that a crucial person of interest in Mrs Ristevski's disappearance has suddenly stopped talking to police as detectives flood the area near her home in search of fresh evidence. 

They are hoping to speak to a woman walking a dog who claimed to have been approached by a man behind the Ristevski family home.

The intensified police presence comes after detectives were met by a 'wall of silence' from a key person of interest, the Herald Sun reports.

No person of interest has been publicly named by police. 

Police last week questioned her 32-year-old stepson, Anthony Rickard, has been cooperating with detectives.

Mr Rickard, who is fighting an ice addiction, told police there had been a family conflict and that his stepmother had allegedly been planning to leave her husband before she disappeared. 

Detectives are said to be taking Mr Rickard's allegations very seriously. 

He has denied any involvement in Mrs Ristevski's disappearance but did admit to police that his anger over the family conflict could be considered a motive. 

When asked by police if he killed his stepmother, Mr Rickard said he 'would have liked to', according to the Herald Sun. 

Mr Rickard said he called Mrs Ristevski several days before she disappeared to talk about the family conflict.

'So I rung her (Mrs Ristevski)... what I wanted to talk to her about she knows exactly why,' he said. 

'It was a shock that she disappeared after my phone call to her.'

Mr Rickard's father Borce has also been questioned by police over his wife's disappearance. 

Police have not suggested that Mr Ristevski has had anything to do with his wife's disappearance. 

Mrs Ristevski was last seen at her home Avondale Heights at about 10am on June 29 after she left the property to 'clear her head' after an argument with her husband about finances. 

Her phone has been switched off and her bank accounts left untouched since her disappearance.

Karen is described as 160cm tall, slim build and shoulder length brown hair.  

She was last seen wearing a black jacket and jeans and it is believed she had a Coach handbag and a Coach purse with her. 

SES crews, water police and police on motorbikes searched the Maribyrnong River and surrounding areas a fortnight ago but did not find any clues.

There has been a wave of support on social media to find the popular dress shop owner, who was firm friends with Connie Johnson, sister of actor Samuel, who played Molly Meldrum in a recent television series.