Pilbara police say only 'matter of time' before missing Zane Stevens found

Australia Broadcast Center

28-04-2025

It has been one year since 21-year-old Zane Stevens was last seen after his car became bogged on the outskirts of Broome in Western Australia's Kimberley region.
The young father, who is from the Pilbara town of Wickham, had been travelling with a friend at Coconut Well, about 20 kilometres north of Broome, when they became separated during the weekend of April 26, 2024.
His friend returned to town, however, Mr Stevens has not made contact with his family or friends since.
Mr Stevens's immediate family has previously pleaded for any information on his disappearance.
(
Supplied: Tania Stevens
)
An extensive
Marking one year since Mr Stevens's disappearance, Broome Detective Senior Sergeant Brian Beck said it was important to "narrow down" on the 21-year-old's last known movements.
"Ideally, we want to locate Zane for the comfort and the wellbeing of [his] family,"
he said.
"As he's outstanding, they're obviously very traumatised by the fact that he hasn't been located and there's no sign of him."
Mr Stevens's car became bogged in thick mud near Coconut Well, north of Broome, in April 2024.
(
ABC Kimberley: Andrew Seabourne
)
Police said they had worked through more than 100 reports from community members about what could have happened to Mr Stevens since his disappearance.
Police maintained there was no evidence of criminality.
"We looked into all the information that was provided, whether there was any substance to it or not," Senior Sergeant Beck said.
"
It was about being as thorough as possible because, at the end of the day, we wanted to locate Zane and give the family closure.
"
'A victim of the circumstances'
Coconut Well and nearby Wille Creek, the area where
Police and SES personnel trekked through difficult terrain in a bid to find any sign of the 21-year-old.
(
ABC Kimberley: Esse Deves
)
Senior Sergeant Beck said Mr Stevens potentially became lost in an area that he was not familiar with and "deteriorated over a period of days".
"We feel that Zane, unfortunately, was a victim of the circumstances," he said.
The detective said "it was only a matter of time" before Mr Stevens was found.
"I'm forever hopeful at some stage Zane will be located — whether by a member of the public or by police,"
Senior Sergeant Beck said.
Photo shows
A large group of people march down a street. One holds an Aboriginal flag.
Hundreds of people have rallied in three regional WA towns to raise awareness about the disappearances of seven Indigenous men.
Community call to action
Mr Stevens's disappearance has been part of a wider call to action from the families and friends of other missing Indigenous men across regional WA.
Bring Them Home rallies have previously been held across the state, including in Perth, to raise awareness of their disappearances.
Police said they had explored whether the men's disappearances were linked but said there "was no credible information" to support that.
In December 2024, the
A large group of people at the Bring Them Home rally in the Perth CBD in September 2024.
(
ABC Perth: Keane Bourke
)
ABC Kimberley — local news in your inbox
Get our local newsletter, delivered free each Tuesday
Your information is being handled in accordance with the
Email address
Subscribe