Missing Persons & Unsolved Crimes

Debbie continues to be called upon to assist the Police in their search for the missing and unsolved crimes

Missing Persons in Australia

About 38,000 missing persons reports are received each year by police across Australia.

While most of those missing people are found within a short period of time, there are about 2,600 people who have been missing for more than three months.

In Australia, a missing person is anyone who has been reported missing to police whose whereabouts are unknown, and where there are fears for their safety or concern for their welfare.

About one-third of missing persons go missing more than once, and each time a person goes missing it is treated as an individual report.

While anyone (regardless of gender, age, ethnicity or educational background) can become a missing person, adults are more likely to be missing long-term. Of the 38,000 missing persons reports submitted to police each year, 19,000 or 50% relate to those aged between the years 13 - 17.

Other at-risk groups of going missing within our community include:

  • children and young people
  • those suffering a mental illness, or depression
  • the elderly and those living with dementia
  • persons expressing suicidal thoughts
  • those living with intellectual or physical ability or without lifesaving medication

There are many reasons people go missing and these can include mental illness, miscommunication, misadventure, domestic violence, and being a victim of crime.

If you have any concern for the safety and welfare of someone and their whereabouts are unknown you can report them as missing to your local police department.

You DO NOT have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing.

Going missing is not a crime.

If you have been reported as missing it means that someone is concerned about your safety and welfare. You can contact Crime Stoppers or police to let them know you are safe and well and your privacy will be maintained.

When located, a missing person must give permission before their whereabouts are released or disclosed to their family. In the case of a located missing child, information and decisions regarding their circumstances and their location may be made in consultation with relevant agencies.

(This information is shared with you from the Crime Stoppers - Missing Person Resources Page)

Resources

Unfortunately, due to legal considerations, Debbie only works on criminal investigations and missing persons cases directly at the request of the investigating officer in charge of the case. Debbie cannot comment on investigations or offer this service to family/friends, or members of the public. Debbie provides her services pro bono to Law Enforcement Services only.

If you have information related to a case, please don't contact Debbie. She is not able to put you in contact with the Police. Instead, contact Crime Stoppers or your local law enforcement agency, who will be able to assist you further.

Please refer to the resources provided below if you require assistance with a missing person or a cold case. 

Please note that Debbie is not affiliated with any of these organisations.

National Missing Persons Unit

If you have any information on missing persons

Call Crime Stoppers - 1800 333 000

Website  - The National Missing Persons Unit

Missing Persons Unit NSW Police

130 George Street Parramatta NSW

Telephone: 02 9689 7388 or Toll-Free 1800 025 091

Website - The NSW Missing Persons Unit

Crime Stoppers

Website - Crime Stoppers

White Ribbon Australia

Website - White Ribbon Australia

Find Me Group

Based in the United States, Find Me Group is a non-profit organisation dedicated to assisting law enforcement agencies and families in locating missing loved ones, assisting in solving homicides and identifying victims of human trafficking.

Find Me Group services are FREE of charge to all law enforcement agencies and families

Website - Find Me Group