Paul Michael Lamp: Heartfelt plea for support in search for missing man near Coolgardie

West Australian

29-05-2025

The devastated family of a man believed to be missing around the Coolgardie area say they will continue their search despite police efforts ending.
The family of Paul Michael Lamp sent out a heartfelt plea to the community to help them continue search efforts for Mr Lamp, who has been missing since May 9, after police confirmed they had suspended their search efforts at the weekend.
The 54-year-old was last seen leaving his home in Chidlow before travelling through Northam and obtaining some cash and a small amount of food.
He was then seen at a business in Kalgoorlie before travelling west towards Coolgardie.
His phone last pinged off a tower near Coolgardie, giving police a 1600sqkm search radius a bit south of the Great Eastern Highway as a potential location.
With the help of SES, police and air wing, the area was searched before efforts were suspended on the weekend.
His wife, Yasmin, broke down out the front of Coolgardie Police Station on Thursday that she 'just needed him back'.
She told the Kalgoorlie Miner she was not sleeping, not eating, and their boys aged 14 and 16 were not coping.
His sister, Rachael, said the father-of-two was from a big family and everyone loved him.
'If he's out there and he can hear us, the boys need him,' she said.
'Yas needs him, his nieces, his nephews, his siblings, his parents.
'If anybody has any information, please contact police and let them know.'
She thanked the police, SES and community members who had already helped them in their search efforts, but asked for ongoing community support as they continue their own searches of the area and further out.
Mr Lamp's brother, Joshua, said anyone with information from the area who wished to remain anonymous could reach out to the Find Paul Lamp Facebook page.
WA Police Goldfields-Esperance Acting Superintendent Mick Kelly said the some areas in the search zone were 'quite dense' and only accessible by four-wheel-drive, where others were more sparse.
'But there's nothing to say that Mr Lamp has continued outside this 1600sqkm search area until we get an activation or the handset is turned back on and recharged,' he said.
'And I can say that his vehicle has not activated any ANPR cameras, our assets that alert us to positions of vehicles.'
Acting Supt. Kelly said police had no suspicion of criminality in relation to Mr Lamp's disappearance, and while he was someone who enjoyed prospecting shows, there was no indication he had gone prospecting.
He said the family had no understanding of why Mr Lamp was in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder or Coolgardie areas, other than the family previously coming here when he was younger.
'There's grave concerns for his welfare,' he said.
'If someone was to sight him, call police, and if he does hear or see this particular message, please reach out to your family.
'Your loved ones are hurting. They just want to know that you're safe and well. And then we can bring him home.'
Mr Lamp is believed to be driving a blue Nissan Navara utility with the registration 1HNT095.
He is described as being approximately 180cm tall, having tanned skin, a medium to solid build with thick, short, dark hair and brown eyes.
Updated search maps and information are being added to the Find Paul Lamp Facebook page.
Anyone able to help with search efforts, or who has information, is urged to message the page or phone [phone].
Police can be notified on 131 444.