Latest news with #missingperson
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Zac vanished without a trace near a train station in Australia - now a coroner has exposed what could have put a target on his back
A young tradie who is believed to have died after he mysteriously vanished without a trace paid off a drug debt three days before his disappearance, a coroner has found. Zac Barnes, 18, was last seen getting out of a friend's car and running into bushland in a panicked state near Thornton train station in the NSW Hunter Valley on the night of Sunday, November 13, 2016. The apprentice didn't have his phone or wallet and hasn't been seen or heard from since. His phone and social media accounts remain inactive from that time. The inquest into his suspected death, which began in 2023, resumed earlier this month after police finalised their investigation. Deputy State Coroner Carmel Forbes recently handed down her findings that Mr Barnes died on or shortly after November 13, 2016 but was unable to determine the manner, cause, or place of his death. 'I am satisfied on the balance of probabilities that Zac is deceased,' she said. 'I am also satisfied on the balance of probabilities that he died in suspicious circumstances.' She referred Mr Barnes' disappearance to the NSW Police Unsolved Homicide Team. Zac Barnes (pictured with his mum and several siblings) was last seen alive on the night of Sunday, November 13, 2016 The inquest heard confronting details about the apprentice teen's drug use, alcohol consumption, troubling behaviour, and accrued drug debts in the months and days before he disappeared. He missed his older brother's 21st birthday celebrations a fortnight prior after drinking heavily during a pub crawl earlier in the day. A week later, he took ecstasy tablets brought on credit from a friend into a music festival in Newcastle. He was described by numerous friends as being 'off his head' at the concert, the coroner noted. The inquest also heard how he owed money and borrowed $1,200 from his mother and stepfather to repay a drug debt three days before he disappeared. The inquest findings were scathing of NSW Police in their initial handling of Mr Barnes' disappearance. The court heard that a review of the police response found that a formal risk assessment was not completed at the start of the search and that a multi-agency search should have occurred days before it did. Aerial resources weren't deployed until eight days into the search. 'The SOPs that existed in 2016 required a risk assessment to be conducted and recorded. A risk assessment form was provided as a guide,' the coroner said. 'There is no record of that being done either at the time Zac was reported missing or as the investigation progressed. 'It is unfortunate that the prescribed risk assessments were not completed when they should have been.' Magistrate Forbes also ruled that investigators did not fully comply with Missing Persons Standard Operating Procedures. 'The evidence suggests that there was not strict compliance with the Missing Persons SOPs in force at the time of Zac's disappearance and better decisions could have been made,' she said. 'This probably hampered the investigation in the very early stages when it was most critical to obtain timely evidence.' A strike task force focused on Mr Barnes' disappearance is now underway and investigating new lines of inquiry. The coroner also noted that newer police systems in place will ensure the prescribed steps regarding missing persons are now taken in a timely manner. A Missing Persons Registry has also since been established. The coroner acknowledged the traumatic toll on Mr Barnes' mother Karen Gudelj, his stepfather Michael, three brothers and two younger sisters. His younger brother Liam, then aged 19, took his own life four years after Mr Barnes vanished. 'Zac's disappearance and apparent death is a tragedy, and his family has clearly been deeply affected by his disappearance from their lives and the unanswered questions surrounding his disappearance, Magistrate Forbes said. 'I acknowledge the painful and persistent uncertainty felt by them in not knowing what happened to Zac and the anguish around not being able to give Zac a proper funeral, burial and farewell. 'I hope that the inquest has assisted by bringing them some measure of closure, and I hope that in the future the necessary evidence can be uncovered to provide more information about what happened to Zac.' The inquest findings confirmed what Mr Barnes' mother has suspected all along. 'It is a bittersweet moment — relief mixed with the weight of what we've always known in our hearts,' Ms Gudelj posted online 'As a family, we never believed the early assumptions — that Zac had simply run away or taken his own life. That was never our truth, and we are grateful it is finally being acknowledged. 'Our faith in the system has been renewed, thanks to some extraordinary people who stood by us.' She believes the family is another day closer to finding justice for Zac. 'It may not come tomorrow, but we truly believe it will come,' Ms Gudelj said. 'And that belief brings us peace — knowing Zac has not been forgotten, and that the dedicated homicide detectives will keep fighting for the answers we so desperately seek.' The family plan to hold a memorial on the anniversary of Mr Barnes' disappearance in November.
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Concerns grow for missing Greater Manchester man last seen four days ago
An urgent appeal has been issued to find a missing Bury man who was last seen four days ago. Police say Craig was last seen on Grange Grove, in Whitefield, at around 11.45pm on Saturday night (July 26). Officers have issued an appeal for help to find the 40-year-old on social media this morning (Wednesday). READ MORE: Jury in Manchester Airport police assault trial given majority ruling READ MORE: Major Bee Network bus rule change coming this week for 'hundreds of thousands' of passengers A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: "Officers are becoming increasingly concerned about him and want to make sure he is safe and well." Never miss a story with the MEN's daily Catch Up newsletter - get it in your inbox by signing up here Craig is described as being white, 5ft 5ins tall and of slim build, with dark-coloured hair on top and a shaved back and sides haircut. GMP says Craig was last seen wearing a black cap, square glasses, a black t-shirt, black cargo pants and black Nike trainers. Craig's surname has not been given by GMP. A photo of Craig has been released this morning. Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Anyone who sees Craig, or has information on his whereabouts, is urged to come forward as soon as possible. Information can be passed on to GMP by calling 0161 856 8174, quoting log number 917 of July 28, 2025. --- For the latest stories and breaking news visit Get the latest headlines, features and analysis that matter to you by signing up to our various Manchester Evening News newsletters here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to stay up to date with the latest. Follow us on X @mennewsdesk for all the latest stories and updates on breaking incidents from across the region and beyond, as well as on our Facebook page here. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our newsdesk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it.
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Police: Body found near Klang River in Puchong may be missing college student
KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 — Police believe a body found under a Klang River bridge near Jalan Jurutera, Puchong, is that of a 23-year-old private college student reported missing last week. Subang Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Wan Azlan Wan Mamat said the victim's identity was traced through a missing persons report lodged by her sister on 26 July, Berita Harian reported. The report said the woman had asked to be picked up from the Putra Heights LRT station at noon on July 25, but she could not be reached after that. A key found in the victim's trouser pocket led police to inspect a residence believed to be hers in Jalan Klang Lama. Closed-circuit television footage showed her presence in the area before she was reported missing. Her family has since confirmed the clothing on the body belonged to their missing relative, while fingerprint analysis is underway for final identification. A forensic examination conducted at Hospital Sultan Idris Shah at 8am yesterday found no signs of injuries or struggle on the body. Police are awaiting lab results before completing the autopsy report, and for now, the case remains classified as sudden death.
The Sun
a day ago
- The Sun
Urgent hunt for missing woman, 63, who vanished from family home as cops hunt Mini Coupe & public urged to ‘call 999'
COPS have launched a desperate search for a missing 63-year-old in Slough. Lynn was last seen in Burnham yesterday morning before vanishing and police are looking for her distinctive car as part of their search. 3 3 Lynn's family say that she was wearing jeans and a blue top when they last saw her at 8.30am on July 28. She is believed to have taken her car, a black Mini Coupe, with her before disappearing. The vehicle has silver stripes down the front and has a number plate, YH62 ORA. Lynn is white, 5ft 7in tall and has medium length, light brown hair. She has been described as being of medium build. Investigating officer, Samuel Childerly, said: 'We are concerned for the welfare of Lynn and are appealing for the public's help in tracing her. 'We would ask if you see Lynn please call 999. 'If you have other information as to where she might be you can provide information via our online missing persons form quoting reference 43250380821.' is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun. 3
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
NT Police searching for 26-year-old Gach in Alice Springs
NT Police hold concerns for a young man who was last seen leaving his home but failed to make it to his rostered shift with his car discovered abandoned the next morning. Details.
