Police have been provided with information from the public that could help solve several long term missing persons cases as a result of National Missing Persons Week (August 2-8).
The National Missing Persons Unit, based at the Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence, has confirmed that confidential inquiries are now being made in relation to a number of leads received regarding high profile long term cases in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and Western Australia. (Details of the specific cases are confidential until inquiries have been completed.)
Queensland Police has located two long term missing people as a result of information received during the Week. The people have asked that their identities not be disclosed.
This latest news follows the reunion of 13-year-old Natasha McConnell with her mother, Joanne London, yesterday, after extensive media coverage of the case during National Missing Persons Week. Natasha was reported missing to Cabramatta Police in NSW on July 23.
Coordinator of the National Missing Persons Unit, Carol Kiernan, congratulated both the public and the media for supporting the national ‘Help Unravel the Mystery’ campaign and State based activities held throughout the week.
This is the second year the National Missing Persons Unit has coordinated the ‘Help Unravel the Mystery’ campaign in conjunction with police, The Australian Red Cross, the Salvation Army and the International Social Service. The highlight of this year’s campaign was the launch of the National Unit’s research study, ‘Missing People: Issues for the Australian Community’.
"Our main aim with National Missing Persons Week is to raise community awareness about all aspects associated with the issue of missing people," Ms Kiernan said. "Obviously, we want to solve cases but prevention is another priority. We also aim to encourage missing people to re-establish contact with their families where possible.
"The response by both the community and the media on a national basis has been very heartening to all those people working in the missing persons field and to many of the families who are searching for a loved one.
"On behalf of all missing persons agencies, we would like to thank those people who have been encouraged by National Missing Persons Week to provide information or make contact with someone to let them know they are safe."
Ms Kiernan said ongoing community support was essential in helping authorities to solve missing persons cases.
"While 99.5 per cent of people who go missing are found, there are those cases that continue to remain a complete mystery," she explained. "If anyone thinks they have information about a missing person, no matter how insignificant it might seem, we encourage them to contact the police at any time."
