Missing Persons Week (July 31 – August 6), 2011

This year the theme of the week is When someone goes missing, more than one person is lost,” highlighting the impact of a missing person on family, friends, colleagues and the community.

Police are appealing for information on several cases including the following:

Jayden Preston – Cambooya
Jayden is 15-years-old and was living at Cambooya. Police believe that he has left the area and may have travelled to North Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast area. Jayden was reported missing in February of this year by his father and extensive inquiries are under way to locate him. Jayden is described as 165cm tall, collar length dark hair and has a heavy build.

Matthew Rourke – Helidon

Matthew Rourke, 27 has been reported missing by his mother. He was last seen asleep at his home at Helidon Spa at 10am on December 11 last year. He has left all personal belongings at the address including clothes, bank cards and medication. Matthew Rourke was last seen wearing dark blue shorts, a green t-shirt and thongs. It is believed that he may have travelled interstate as he has previously travelled frequently.

As part of National Missing Persons Week,  the Queensland Police Service is urging people who are missing to make contact with a friend, family member or police..

Detective Senior Sergeant Damien Powell, Officer in Charge of the State Crime Operations Command Missing Persons Unit says Last financial year around 6000 people were reported missing in Queensland. While the Queensland Police Service’s recovery rate is 99.7%, there are approximately 260 people on the long term missing persons register (dating back to 1970). We rely heavily on information from the public to help locate missing people. However small the information may be, often the key to finding a missing person lies with the eyes and ears of our community and we encourage anyone with information to contact police,”

While people go missing for a variety of reasons and some do not wish to be located. If you have been reported missing and do not wish to be located, it is important you make contact with police. Once we have verified you are safe and well, your whereabouts will remain confidential,” Detective Senior Sergeant Powell said.

Anyone with information which could assist police with their investigations should contact Crime Stoppers anonymously via
1800 333 000 or crimestoppers.com.au 24hrs a day.

Crime Stoppers is a charitable community volunteer organisation working in partnership with the Queensland Police Service.