In 2025 Australian police received 49,084 missing persons reports. Thankfully, many individuals are located within a short time, however, sadly there remains a large number of people who are still missing. These people fall into what is referred to as long-term missing. As of the 31st of December 2025, it is reported that 2827 cases fall into this category, missing longer than three months. These people matter, The Missing Matter...................
Statistics tell us when a loved one goes missing 12 people are directly impacted. That indicates that 589,000 Australian's were impacted by a missing person, in 2025 alone. When a loved one is reported missing, the emotional toll on their families, their friends and the community can be profound. It's crucial to recognize that each person may grapple with their emotions uniquely, responding in diverse ways.
The impact of someone you know, someone you care about going missing is noted as one of the hardest traumas to manage, in the missing space we refer to this trauma as Ambiguous Loss. A type of grief that lacks closure, finality or a clear resolution because there is no official confirmation of death or clear ending.
Sally Leydon
Sally is the driving force behind the search for her mother, Marion Barter
A never-ending search.
Sally Leydon, a resilient and determined daughter, embarks on an emotionally charged journey to uncover the truth behind her mother, Marion Barter's mysterious disappearance. The story begins in 1997 when Marion, a former Australian schoolteacher, traveled to Europe and, to the shock of her loved ones, vanished without a trace.
Sally’s pursuit of answers is a powerful narrative that crosses borders and spans years. What was initially seen as a spirited adventure turned into heartbreak when communication abruptly stopped. Driven by love and an unrelenting need for closure, Sally dives into a complex web of her mother’s past to uncover the truth.
As she explores Marion's life, Sally uncovers fragments of a woman with unmet dreams and a restless spirit eager for discovery. Her search takes her across Asia, Europe and the UK, retracing Marion’s steps from her last phone call to her family. With each discovery, Sally hears echoes of her mother, piecing together a puzzle that could hold the key to her disappearance.
The emotional journey is marked by hope and despair, but Sally’s unwavering belief that answers are out there pushes her forward. Her quest becomes more than just a daughter seeking her mother—it’s a profound exploration of human connection and the mysteries that can surround loved ones.
Sally’s resilience not only sustains her but also inspires others. Her story, and her ongoing search for Marion, highlights the enduring power of love and the strength found in unraveling life's most perplexing mysteries. It resonates with anyone who has felt the ache of loss and the determined desire to find closure, even in the face of uncertainty.
Refusing to let her experience break her spirit, Sally has found peace and purpose in sharing her journey. She uses her voice through her podcast, The Missing Matter, to raise awareness about other missing persons. She believes that somewhere, someone knows something—and by sharing these stories publicly, new information might help bring closure to more families experiencing the pain of ambiguous loss.
Sally is committed to ensuring the missing are not forgotten or dismissed by authorities or communities. She is now launching The Green Seat Project, an initiative dedicated to raising awareness about missing persons. The project aims to collaborate with local governments across Australia and beyond to install green benches equipped with QR codes linking to www.themissingmatter.com, where stories of those lost are visible to all. These seats will provide a peaceful space for families, friends, and communities to sit, reflect, and honour all those who are missing because #themissingmatter.
