Remains located on the south coast earlier this year have been identified as a Victorian man missing for more than five years through familial DNA.
About 2.30pm on Tuesday 27 February 2024, police were contacted after a contractor discovered what was believed to be humans remains in the Beowa National Park near Eden.
Officers attached to South Coast Police District attended and a crime scene was established.
The remains were seized and sent for forensic examination.
Following analysis and comparison to familial DNA obtained during missing person investigations, police confirmed the remains were that of 51-year-old Victorian man, who was reported missing in the Eden area, in December 2018.
The circumstances surrounding the man's death were deemed not suspicious and the matter was referred to the Coroner.
The Missing Persons Registry currently has 352 unidentified remains that have been located throughout NSW dating back to 1964.
In 2024, police have had reports of 85 unidentified remains being located. Following extensive and meticulous investigations only two currently remain unidentified as police await further DNA results.
Members of the public are urged to come forward and help police solve some of these mysteries through voluntarily providing their DNA.
Detective Inspector Ritchie Sim, Manager of the Missing Persons Registry, said every year police identify missing people through various methods, including DNA provided by the public, family members, and continue to urge those with missing loved ones to donate their DNA as well.
"One unidentified body is too many. This means a family of the missing person and their friends don't have the answers they're looking for. Police are always searching to identify these people and provide as many answers as possible to families".
"As with this case, NSW Police work closely with our interstate colleagues in these investigations".
"It is very common that remains are moved from their initial place of rest due to varying reasons. For example, heavy rain and flooding."
"These aspects complicate the investigations further, which is why we are always searching for answers. That search for answers includes using advancements in technology and the sciences to help find the answers, not only for the police, but more importantly, the families and friends of these people." Det Insp Sim said.
"Missing person investigations are not criminal matters, and your DNA is not stored in any criminal or suspect data base. Your DNA will be secured and managed by NSW Health and used to hopefully solve these cases and provide answers to families and loved ones.
"If you have reported a family member missing to police, and you have the Event number, I urge you to go to your local police station and provide your DNA if you haven't done so already. Your relationship with the missing person can be several generations apart." Det Insp Sim said.
"If you don't have an Event reference number, you can still help. You can provide your DNA to commercial databases such as Gedmatch and Familytree DNA. As long as you tick the option to release your DNA for law enforcement purposes, we can use your DNA and hopefully solve a mystery."
Missing Persons Week is an annual national campaign to raise awareness of the issues and impacts surrounding missing persons and runs between Sunday 28 July and Saturday 3 August 2024.
This year's 'Always Searching' campaign focuses on the continuing efforts of police to solve missing persons investigations.
If you have been reported as missing it means that someone is concerned about your safety and welfare. It is not a crime to go missing. You should attend the nearest police station with identification so that Police can ascertain that you are safe and well.
For more information on the campaign visit www.missingpersons.gov.au
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information that may assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
