National Missing Persons Week police appeal for missing persons to make contact

As part of National Missing Persons Week (July 31 – August 6) the Queensland Police Service is urging people who are missing to make contact with family.

This year the theme of the week is “When someone goes missing, more than one person is lost”, highlighting the impact of a missing person on family, friends, colleagues and the community.

Detective Senior Sergeant Damien Powell, Officer in Charge of the State Crime Operations Command Missing Persons Unit encourages people who are missing to make contact with a friend, family member or police.

“Last financial year around 6000 people were reported missing in Queensland. While the Queensland Police Service’s recovery rate is 99.7%, there are approximately 260 people on the long term missing persons register (dating back to 1970).

“We rely heavily on information from the public to help locate missing people. However small the information may be, often the key to finding a missing person lies with the eyes and ears of our community and we encourage anyone with information to contact police,” Detective Senior Sergeant Powell said. 

While people go missing for a variety of reasons and some do not wish to be located, it is important that if you have been reported missing you make contact with police.

“If you have been reported missing and do not wish to be located, it is important you make contact with police. Once we have verified you are safe and well, your whereabouts will remain confidential,” he said.

Police are appealing for information on several cases including the following:

Jon Buchecker – Slacks Creek

Mr Buchecker, 39 was last seen by his family at his home in Slacks Creek about 12pm on May 27, 2010. Police hold concerns for Mr Buchecker as it is out of character for him to not return home or contact his family. He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 180cm tall with a slim build, dark brown hair and blue eyes. Investigations into Mr Buchecker’s disappearance continue.

Michael Devitt – Connonvale

Police are seeking the public’s assistance to help locate missing person Michael Leslie Devitt. Mr Devitt, now 49 was reported missing by his family on August 26 and has had no contact with them since January 2010. Mr Devitt has previously worked as a truck driver and investigations by the Missing Persons Unit have confirmed Mr Devitt was living in Cannonvale in February 2010. He is described as 175cm tall, of proportionate build with brown hair and blue eyes. He also has a tattoo of an eagle on his upper right arm.

Kenneth Rodman – Far North Queensland

Kenneth Rodman, 55 has been travelling around Australia from the United States with his green kayak. He was last seen by a friend on December 21 heading to the beach at Mowbray, but spotted further on December 25 heading in an unknown direction. He is described as being as Caucasian in appearance with grey hair and a full grey beard, approximately 183cms tall with a slim build. His family in the United States has not heard from him since the end of last year. It’s believed Mr Rodman may be living in Far North Queensland and he is urged to contact his local police station to verify his safety.

Leeann Lapham – Innisfail

Police continue to investigate the disappearance of Leeann Lapham, 30 reported missing from Innisfail on April 27, 2010. Ms Lapham was last seen leaving an Innisfail motel around 7.30pm on April 19. Police hold concerns for Ms Lapham’s welfare. She is described as being 170cm tall, of slim build with straight brown should length hair, green eyes and fair skin. She was last seen wearing black three quarter length pants, a blue/green singlet top and thongs. Ms Lapham has a tattoo of coloured flowers on her right leg (from ankle to mid calf), black stars on her left calf and the word RAVEN on the back of her left wrist.

Jayden Preston - Cambooya

Jayden is 15-years-old and was living at Cambooya. Police believe that he has left the area and may have travelled to North Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast area. Jayden was reported missing in February of this year by his father and extensive inquiries are under way to locate him. Jayden is described as 165cm tall, collar length dark hair and has a heavy build.

Mathew Rourke - Helidon

Matthew Rourke, 27 has been reported missing by his mother. He was last seen asleep at his home at Helidon Spa at 10am on December 11 last year. He has left all personal belongings at the address including clothes, bank cards and medication. Matthew Rourke was last seen wearing dark blue shorts, a green t-shirt and thongs. It is believed that he may have travelled interstate as he has previously travelled frequently.

Jason Hazelgrove - Gympie

Jason Hazelgrove, 39 was last seen by his family in Lawrence Street, Gympie at about 6.30pm on July 13, 2010. Concerns are held for Jason as it is out of character for him to not return home or make contact with his family. He was wearing a grey t-shirt, black tracksuit pants and white shoes. He has a full sleeve of tattoos on his left arm and tattoos on upper right arm. He is described as Caucasian in appearance, approximately 180cm tall, with a slim build, brown hair and hazel eyes.