Latest news with #JayNotaro
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Missing cop's last word before vanishing - with only his surfboard found
Popular police officer Jay Notaro, from Australia, disappeared earlier this year, with his surfboard and car being the only things located. His close friend shared the last thing he said to her A close friend to a police officer who vanished into thin air has revealed the final conversation she had with him before he was declared missing. Popular cop Jay Notaro, from Queensland, Australia, disappeared off the coast of Broken Head Beach in Byron Bay, just one day after his 45th birthday. His loved ones were left in mourning after the cop vanished on March 25. His surfboard was discovered with the leg rope attached at the beach - with his car being located a mere 500 metres away in the car park. Dozens of theories have emerged, but there is still no concrete answer as to what happened to him. On Friday, a heartfelt memorial service was held by Queensland Police in Brisbane, where his friend Claire Campbell spoke about her last words with Mr Notaro. She had phoned him to sing happy birthday, before forwarding videos of her two sons playing touch footy, a type of league rugby, reports News AU. Mr Notaro, who played for the Queensland Police Service Rugby League side, responded to the footage with one word. His pal revealed: 'Jay's last ever text message in response to those clips was just one word: 'FLYING!!' 'The next day, we learned that Jay too, was flying sky high, heaven-bound to rest in peace forevermore." She added: "And just as we said to Jay at the end of that birthday call, the last call that he ever answered today we say Jay, we love you. We miss you.' QPS Chaplin Jeff Baills, who led the service, said: 'I have heard many scenarios, reasons, hypotheses, explanations, as to why this happened. What we do know that happened is where his Apple watch last pinged and where his surfboard was found. Everything else is speculation. We may never actually know for certain how this happened.'
News.com.au
16-05-2025
- News.com.au
‘Traumatic': Missing cop's final text message
The last text sent by missing police officer Jay Notaro was revealed during an emotional memorial service held by the Queensland Police Service on Friday. The Queensland cop disappeared off the coast of Broken Head Beach in Byron Bay on March 25, a day after his 45th birthday. His surfboard, with the leg rope attached, was found at the beach by a member of the public with his car parked 500 metres away in the carpark. His body has never been found. At the service held in Brisbane on Friday, long-time friend Claire Campbell spoke about her last interaction with Mr Notaro. Ms Campbell said that she had called him to sing 'happy birthday' before sending him videos of her two sons playing touch footy. Mr Notaro was heavily involved in rugby league throughout his whole life, and played for the Queensland Police Service Rugby League side. 'Jay's last ever text message in response to those clips was just one word: 'FLYING!!' she said. 'The next day, we learned that Jay too, was flying sky high, heaven-bound to rest in peace forevermore. 'And just as we said to Jay at the end of that birthday call, the last call that he ever answered today we say Jay, we love you. We miss you.' QPS Chaplin Jeff Baills, who led the service, said 'no one knew' what had happened to Mr Notaro. 'I have heard many scenarios, reasons, hypotheses, explanations, as to why this happened,' Mr Baills said. 'What we do know that happened is where his Apple watch last pinged and where his surfboard was found. Everything else is speculation. 'We may never actually know for certain how this happened.' Mr Baills said Mr Notaro's death was 'shocking' and 'traumatic'. 'We must be very careful, because if we seek to lay blame on what we think happen, we actually rob ourselves and rob Jay of the extraordinary man that he was,' Mr Baills said. Mr Notaro's younger sister Hayley also spoke, saying that losing her brother 'doesn't feel real'. Hayley said that Mr Notaro was great with children, particularly with her five-year-old daughter Eve. 'He was so good with children and it's just such a shame he didn't get to be a father, because he would have made a wonderful dad,' Hayley said. 'I think we can all agree that Jay was the best godfather and uncle ever.' Mr Notaro was a godfather to eight children. Hayley also said she gave birth to a baby boy two weeks ago, saying how Mr Notaro was 'super excited' to meet his nephew. 'I feel heartbroken that my baby boy won't get to meet his incredible uncle,' she said. 'But I will do my best to keep his name alive and we'll talk about him often, share stories, show him videos, and tell him how much his Uncle Jay would have loved him.' As Mr Notaro's body was never found, mourners were invited to place a flower on one of his surfboards at the end of the service. The search for his body was called off following a four-day multi-agency co-ordinated search. A local search was ignited afterwards, however, was unable to bring answers for Mr Notaro's loved ones.
Daily Mail
16-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Heartbroken little sister of 'much-admired' policeman who disappeared after going for a surf in Byron Bay pays tribute to her 'hero' during memorial service
The grieving family, friends and colleagues of an esteemed policeman have paid tribute to the talented cop who disappeared after going for a surf in Byron Bay. Detective Inspector Jay Notaro, 45, disappeared on March 25 after he was spotted going for a surf at Broken Head near Byron Bay in northeastern New South W ales. Search crews discovered his surfboard - with the leg rope attached - undamaged on the sand, while officers found his car and keys in a carpark about 500metres away. His body has never been found. Insp Notaro's loved ones gathered on Friday at Sleeman Sports Complex in southeast Brisbane for a memorial hosted by Queensland Police. Green Day's hit single Good Riddance and Daryl Braithwaite's The Horses played as the crowd filled the auditorium which was decorated with flowers, photos of Insp Notaro and a surf board. Insp Notaro's sister Hayley read the eulogy, taking a nervous breath and expressing her tumultuous emotions after having a baby a fortnight ago while also grieving. 'I'm doing something I never thought I would have to do: reading my big brother's eulogy. Not now, not ever. It doesn't feel real,' she said tearfully. She paid tribute to her punctual, book-loving, cheeky brother with charisma coming to define him throughout his life. Ms Notaro said she was heartbroken her 'baby boy wouldn't be able to meet his incredible uncle'. Her son's middle name is Jay.' 'We miss you. That laugh, that wink, that cheeky smile. You weren't just my brother, you were my hero,' she said. 'You will be in our hearts forever. And until we meet again, I'll see you in my dreams.' The 45-year-old had been staying in the Byron Bay for several days ahead of his 45th birthday. He was reportedly due to attend a birthday celebration dinner with his friends but pulled out with complaints he was feeling unwell. Concerns about his disappearance were triggered at 12.40pm on March 26 after he failed to report for duty at Ipswich Police Station, west of Brisbane. An extensive water, land and aerial search was launched but, after three days, NSW Police announced the rough weather conditions hindered efforts to locate him. Insp Notaro was part of an inner circle of surfing mates which included Hollywood A-Lister Chris Hemsworth, 41. Friends said he frequented Broken Head and often drove down from his Gold Coast home to surf with Hemsworth and former pro surfer Luke Munro During the multi-agency search, Hemsworth was seen speaking with police in the parking lot of Broken Head Reserve just 9km south of his hometown Byron Bay. Insp Notaro quickly rose through the ranks as a homicide investigator after first joining Queensland police in Townsville in 2003. He was instrumental in solving major cases including the bikie-linked slaying of Gold Coast victim Greg Dufty. He received a 'compassion in policing' award by the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group for support he offered Mr Dufty's partner and family. He then served in roles including officer in charge of the Gold Coast water police and Coomera police station. Insp Notaro recently transferred to Ipswich after being promoted to inspector. There has been an outpouring of tributes from local leaders and community organisations who knew Insp Notaro, including his rugby team and Mansfield State High School. After the memorial on Friday, family and close friends have been invited to attend Easts Leagues Club.
Herald Sun
13-05-2025
- Herald Sun
Memorial for Jay Notaro, officer who went missing surfing at Byron
Don't miss out on the headlines from Breaking News. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Ipswich community is set to gather to mourn the 'much-admired' police officer who went missing from Byron Bay in March. Family, friends, and colleagues have been invited to honour Ipswich Police Inspector Jay Notaro at a memorial at Sleeman Sports Complex this Friday, more than 50 days since he went missing from Broken Head Beach near Byron Bay in northeastern NSW. Ipswich cop Jay Notaro went missing near Byron Bay. A four day search took place after the 45-year-old senior police officer did not show up for work on Tuesday 25, March which was deemed 'out of character' by his family and colleagues. His car was found parked at the Broken Head Beach carpark, and his surfboard was later discovered by someone walking along the foreshore. The search for 45-year-old Jay Notaro was launched at Broken Head about 12.40pm on Tuesday after his board was found abandoned and his vehicle located in the carpark. Picture: NewsWire/ Natalie Grono The board was undamaged and the leg rope was attached. After a difficult search hampered by tough weather conditions, the effort was called off on Friday March 28. At the time, his uncle Phil posted to social media: 'conditions this week have been horrendous and we can't thank the NSW and Queensland Police enough for a remarkable response'. 'Plus all the friends and colleagues that attended to help in any way they could. And the onslaught of messages. It's been truly humbling and heart warming. But we fully understand that they had to call it. 'The search was intensive. Now we wait for Mother Nature to decide if she will return him to us.' It was reported that Australian actor Chris Hemsworth became involved in the week-long search, as the pair were surfing friends. Jay Notaro's family gathered on Broken Head Beach. Picture: NewsWire/ Natalie Grono Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer at a press conference updating the public on the search for the missing officer Picture: NewsWire/ Natalie Grono Mr Notaro's body has never been found. In 2024, Inspector Notaro was awarded the Damian Leeding Compassion in Policing Award by the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group. He also helped to solve the cold case murder of Gold Coast man Greg Dufty. Local MP Charis Mullen shared to Facebook that she would be attending the service on behalf of the Jordan electorate to offer the community's condolences. 'A memorial service will be held for former Ipswich Patrol Inspector Jay Notaro on 16 May,' she wrote. 'We are feeling the loss of such an exceptional and much-admired police officer and my thoughts are with his family and his colleagues in the Queensland Police Service.' Mr Notaro's family have asked the media and public to respect their privacy on Friday as they gather to share memories and remember the beloved officer. Originally published as Memorial to be held for police officer who went missing surfing in Byron
News.com.au
13-05-2025
- News.com.au
Memorial to be held for police officer who went missing surfing in Byron
The Ipswich community is set to gather to mourn the 'much-admired' police officer who went missing from Byron Bay in March. Family, friends, and colleagues have been invited to honour Ipswich Police Inspector Jay Notaro at a memorial at Sleeman Sports Complex this Friday, more than 50 days since he went missing from Broken Head Beach near Byron Bay in northeastern NSW. A four day search took place after the 45-year-old senior police officer did not show up for work on Tuesday 25, March which was deemed 'out of character' by his family and colleagues. His car was found parked at the Broken Head Beach carpark, and his surfboard was later discovered by someone walking along the foreshore. The board was undamaged and the leg rope was attached. After a difficult search hampered by tough weather conditions, the effort was called off on Friday March 28. At the time, his uncle Phil posted to social media: 'conditions this week have been horrendous and we can't thank the NSW and Queensland Police enough for a remarkable response'. 'Plus all the friends and colleagues that attended to help in any way they could. And the onslaught of messages. It's been truly humbling and heart warming. But we fully understand that they had to call it. 'The search was intensive. Now we wait for Mother Nature to decide if she will return him to us.' It was reported that Australian actor Chris Hemsworth became involved in the week-long search, as the pair were surfing friends. Mr Notaro's body has never been found. In 2024, Inspector Notaro was awarded the Damian Leeding Compassion in Policing Award by the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group. He also helped to solve the cold case murder of Gold Coast man Greg Dufty. Local MP Charis Mullen shared to Facebook that she would be attending the service on behalf of the Jordan electorate to offer the community's condolences. 'A memorial service will be held for former Ipswich Patrol Inspector Jay Notaro on 16 May,' she wrote. 'We are feeling the loss of such an exceptional and much-admired police officer and my thoughts are with his family and his colleagues in the Queensland Police Service.' Mr Notaro's family have asked the media and public to respect their privacy on Friday as they gather to share memories and remember the beloved officer.
