NEW SOUTH WALES

“a kind, caring soul with a wicked laugh. She was intelligent, she was cultured, and she had so many friends who loved and miss her still. She would always bring you flowers or a cake. She was a very generous human.”  

Missing since: Sunday, June 22, 1997

Last seen: Southport, Queensland

Responsible jurisdiction: NSW

Year of birth: 1945

Gender: Female

Height: 167cm

Build: Slim

Hair: Dark

Eyes: Green/hazel

Complexion: Fair

Distinguishing Features: Small brown freckle within the iris of right eye, directly under the pupil. Small scar under nose

The NSW Government and NSW Police Force have announced a $1 million reward for information relating to the suspicious disappearance of Marion Barter. 

"Our mother, Yvonne, is not just a missing person. She is a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin, friend, and carer whose life mattered and whose future was still unfolding.

Since her disappearance, precious moments have already passed in her absence, including the meeting of her first great-granddaughter, along with family gatherings and special occasions she should have been part of. These moments are the very essence of what it means to be human — sharing our lives with the people we love.

We miss not only the big occasions, but also the simple things: asking about our family history, seeking one of her favourite recipes, learning from her knowledge of animals, or hearing her familiar voice on the phone.

Yvonne was a deeply loyal, caring, and devoted person who touched many lives. Her absence continues to leave an immeasurable void in our family, and we remain committed to finding answers and bringing her home."

Missing since: Thursday 19th February 2026

Last seen:  Queensland Road, Murwillumbah, NSW

Responsible jurisdiction: NSW

Year of birth: 1952

Gender: Female

Height: 154cm

Build: Medium

Hair: Long, grey/brown

Eyes: Hazel

Complexion: Fair

Distinguishing Features: Large scar located on right arm

NSW Police are renewing their appeal for information to locate a woman reported missing from the Far North Coast earlier this year.  

"She matters because she's my daughter. She matters because she was loved, she is loved, not was loved. She is loved.

She's missed. You know, her life mattered. Everything she did mattered.

And there's no filling that void. She matters. That's the basic, you know.

I mean, you could flower it up and everything, but she matters because she is. That's it, it's a simple answer."

Missing since: 19 August 2012

Last seen:  Tuggerah, NSW 

Responsible jurisdiction: NSW

Year of birth: 1989

Gender: Female

Build: Medium

Hair: Blonde (dyed), originally brown

Eyes: Brown

Complexion: Medium complexion

A New South Wales coronial inquest formally ruled that missing 23-year-old Central Coast woman Leisl Smith was murdered by her former partner, James Scott Church, on the day she disappeared in August 2012.  Leisl Smith's body has never been found. The coroner determined her remains are likely located somewhere within or near the Goulburn River National Park in the NSW Upper Hunter region. 

"Bronwyn matters because she is just one story, one version of things that have kept happening time over, again and again and again. This is a really big question of why she matters, but if we make it about the bigger picture, it's about trust and it's about kindness. And if trust and kindness can't be there in relationships, well, then do the right thing and step aside and let the other people have a happy life.  Because when you try to control people, when you try to take away from people, it's those elements that build the foundation of a good human society. And I just really believe that Bronwyn matters because she deserved to be able to fulfil her role as a nurturing mother, and that was taken away from her. And her girls lost their mother when, and that should never have happened.  As simple as that. It didn't need to happen. It didn't need to happen" 

Missing since — 27 May, 1993
Last seen — Lennox Head, NSW
Responsible jurisdiction — NSW
Year of birth — 1962
Gender — Female
Height — 168 cm
Build — Slim
Hair — Light Brown
Eyes — Green
Complexion — Fair 

The active investigation is currently being managed by the NSW Police Force Homicide Squad's Unsolved Homicide Team under Strike Force Chelmsbrook. A $100,000 reward remains active for any information leading to an arrest and conviction.  

"Patrick matters, to me he is my beloved brother, he is an uncle, he is a cousin, he is a son, he painted this indelible mark into my heart and into the world as an artist.  He had a kind and gentle approach all through the people he had met.  All have, across a life space, have come together to search for him, friends from school, friends that we played with in the canal.  There are so many people that love and cherish him across his whole life.  He has had only a half a lifetime and just because of who he is that beautiful gentle kind sole and when I close my eyes, I see those deep dark brown eyes looking back at me, and Patty, I miss you and I love you, you matter.  Patrick matters." 

Missing since — 22 April 2024
Last seen — Tweed Heads West, NSW
Responsible jurisdiction — NSW
Year of birth — 1984
Gender — Male
Height — 180 cm
Build — Solid
Hair — Brown
Eyes — Brown
Complexion — Fair
Distinguishing features — Brown beard  

 The initial official emergency response was suspended in May 2024. Following this, his sister, Nicole Liedke, has spearheaded massive ongoing community search campaigns, coordinating private searchers, off-duty rescue staff, drones, and sniffer dogs. Emergency services briefly recommenced official green-corridor joint operations across the border. Public updates and volunteer search dates are actively shared on the official Find Patrick Liedke Facebook Page.  

"Scott matters because he's an adorned son. A grandson, an uncle and brother in law, a cousin, to many cousins, I’m one of 10 children, so a really big family.  He's so important in our lives. He is our only son, our first born. Scott and I had a very close bond as mother and son, he could normally talk to me about everything, but... the drugs change that. People, they become someone they don't want to be.  I don't understand addiction. But it has such a strong effect on peoples thoughts and can make them do things totally out of character, things that they would never normally do.  This is certainly not normal, for Scott, he would  always contact us if he was in trouble. He would always come back home you know. Whether he had this preplanned, that he was going to have time out, and where?  Whether he knew someone that lived away, that we were not aware of, we don't know. It's all those questions at the moment, unanswered questions."  

Missing since — 30 May 2025
Last seen — Tinonee, NSW
Responsible jurisdiction — NSW
Year of birth — 1979
Gender — Male
Height — 170 cm
Build — Medium
Hair — Brown
Eyes — Brown
Complexion — Fair

Distinguishing features - large tattoo of a lion on his upper right arm “Yeshua” and lower right arm “888” and “Jesus Christ is Lord” of his left arm

Unconfirmed sightings have been reported to the family at a general store in Dungog, as well as in the Grafton and South Grafton areas of New South Wales. None of these sightings have been officially verified by police.  NSW Police continue to run his profile as an open case. Because Scott left behind his bank card and licence, police are heavily reliant on public sightings or dashcam footage. They urge anyone who may have driven past his gold Ford Falcon on Thunderbolts Way between 30 May and 31 May 2025 to come forward  

"To know that he's not been forgotten and that that split second decision that he made, changed not only his life, but the life of all of those around him, I'm not cranky anymore. So, if by some miracle he turned up, I probably can't express on media what I would probably say to him. But, yeah, I just wanted him to know that he was loved, that he was cared for, and that he was important, and he's not been forgotten.  

Andrew matters because everybody matters or nobody matters."

Missing since — 26 December 1985
Last seen — Yamba, NSW
Responsible jurisdiction — NSW
Year of birth — 1967
Gender — Male
Height — 168 cm
Build — Medium
Hair — Ginger
Eyes — Blue
Complexion — Fair  

His case is handled by the New South Wales Police Force and is listed on the National Missing Persons Register. Despite extensive time passing, his disappearance continues to be highlighted by advocacy groups like Leave A Light On and featured in investigative true-crime media such as The Missing Matter podcast to generate fresh leads  

"Aaron matters because every life matters. 
Aaron was funny and caring, and he always was the first person to help whenever someone might have needed it. It was not just my brother. He was a son, a dad, a grandfather, uncle, cousin, a friend. 
He was a huge part of our family. We all miss him deeply and we just want to bring him home. Aaron was a person with hopes, with dreams and aspirations of a life that deserved to be protected. 
His absence has left us heartbroken, and we will never stop looking for him.  "

Missing since — 2 March 2020
Last seen — Belmont, NSW
Responsible jurisdiction — NSW
Year of birth — 1976
Gender — Male
Height — 170 cm
Build — Medium
Hair — Brown
Eyes — Brown
Complexion — Freckled

Distinguishing features - Missing front tooth and tattoos on both arms 

In August 2022, Lake Macquarie Police, the NSW Police Rescue unit, and State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers conducted a large-scale land search near Leneghan Oval at Belmont North. No items or traces of Aaron were uncovered during the operation. His family, including his mother Kerry and sisters Cassandra, Jennifer, and Rebecca, continue to advocate for information through public appeals and podcast features like The Missing Matter.  

"James matters because he deserves it at the end of the day, he doesn't deserve to be unknown person, he doesn't deserve to have something bad has happen to him, he doesn't deserve to have an unmarked spot somewhere, where nobody knows where he is. He also matters because this is affecting his family; we didn't ask for any of this. We didn't ask for the repercussions of James’ lifestyle and whatever he was up too. I don't know what he was up too. If I had an idea, I would know what avenue to even start, but we don't, it could have been absolutely anything. I just remember the good that he did for the people that know him. If that is you and you know something, just tell somebody. Just tell somebody because I cannot continue doing this. I cannot. His family cannot keep doing this. It is horrendous, it is horrendous, it is worst thing ever that has happened in our lives. He is suppose to be here. I think that James taught me how to believe in myself and when things got hard just pick myself up and start again because I can do it. I just need to tell myself I can and I think he taught me about unconditional love really, at the end of day, because things weren't pretty with us, I can say that. He was kind and caring and all those things, but at the end of the day it can fall apart, people can imagine, things weren't always nice. It did take us awhile to get back on track, to even be mates, but we were, and nobody else is looking for him. There is nobody looking for him." 

Missing since — 25 January 2020
Last seen — Dubbo, NSW
Responsible jurisdiction — NSW
Year of birth — 1969
Gender — Male
Height — 180 cm
Build — Medium
Hair — Balding
Eyes — Brown
Complexion — Fair
James was also known as 'Crackers'   

The investigation relies heavily on community information. If you have any leads, saw James "Crackers" Hunter in early 2020, or know anything about his movements around Mendooran or Dubbo contact Crimestoppers.  

 "Gordana matters. The curly, dark haired second child of Peggy and Branko born in Newcastle 1977, she was a little sister to Carolina and a big sister to brother Damien. 

Gordana was a bright, happy, loving child. Growing up in the suburbs, she spent most of her time with her loving family. She adored her parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. The Kotevski’s were part of the large Macedonian community in Newcastle. Gordana joined a Newcastle folk dancing group in her early teens and spent hours each week practising her craft. She loved to dance! A popular teen at her local high school, Gordana had many friends and was well liked by her teachers and peers. A beautiful girl, inside and out, was growing quickly growing into a young adult. 

On the evening of 24 November 1994, sixteen-year-old Gordana was out shopping with her friends at Charlestown Square. Her parents had permitted her to attend her first live concert, Boyz to Men. An exhilarating time for Gordana, she went shopping to buy an outfit for the upcoming concert. 

Whilst walking home to her aunt’s house not far from the centre, and just metres away from the safety of the home, she was snatched off the street by at least two unknown males and bundled into a vehicle, never to be seen again. 

We take every opportunity we can to talk about her and tell her story. A story of so much potential, of love, of loss and a life cut short." 

Missing since — 24 November 1994
Last seen — Charlestown, NSW
Responsible jurisdiction — NSW
Year of birth — 1977
Gender — Female
Height — 160 cm
Build — Slim
Hair — Dark Brown
Eyes — Brown
Complexion — Olive   

The active investigation is currently being managed by the NSW Police Force Homicide Squad's Unsolved Homicide Team under Strike Force Bambil. A $1,000,000 reward remains active for any information leading to an arrest and conviction. 

"Amanda was a beloved daughter, sister and friend who was just 14 years old when she disappeared in April 1979. She was last seen walking along Lake Road, Swansea, NSW, after attending a dance at her high school in Gateshead.

Amanda was passionate about horses. Although she never had a horse of her own, she loved spending time with friends who did. She also loved music and, like many teenagers of the era, had plenty of crushes on the pop idols of the day. While she wasn't particularly sporty, she enjoyed playing a bit of netball. Amanda's father, who has since passed away, affectionately called her his "little fairy". One family story that has always been remembered is when, at around 10 years old, Amanda nearly burnt down the house while trying to cook chips.

Amanda was a happy, popular teenager with many friends and a bright future ahead of her. She was deeply loved by her family, including her heartbroken mother and her brothers, Mark and Tim, who have never stopped searching for answers. Amanda’s family has been fighting for the truth for well over four decades. They deserve to know what happened to her."

Missing since: 21st April, 1979
Last seen: Swansea, NSW
Responsible jurisdiction: NSW

Year of birth: 1965
Gender: Female
Build: Slim
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Brown
Complexion: Fair   

The active investigation is currently being managed by the NSW Police Force Homicide Squad's Unsolved Homicide Team under Strike Force Arapaima. A $1,000,000 reward remains active for any information leading to an arrest and conviction. If you have any information about Amanda Robinson's disappearance, no matter how small it may seem, please come forward.  

"Tracey was a twenty-year-old mother of a two-year-old. Tracey was also a daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, and a friend. Today, Tracey would now also be a grandmother and a great aunt. Tracey’s life mattered and the life she would have had matters to us. She matters because she was Tracey: Unique, loved, and irreplaceable." 

Missing since: December 1992

Last seen: Sadlier, NSW

Responsible jurisdiction: NSW

Year of birth: 1972

Gender: Female

Build: Thin

Hair: Fair

Eyes: Blue/grey

Complexion: Fair

Distinguishing features:   Tattoos - a red heart with flames on her right shoulder; heart with the text 'Scott' on either or both shoulders; text 'Crystal-Lee' on left shoulder; text 'Scott' on either or both shoulders.

 A $100,000 reward remains active. This case relies heavily on community information. If you have any leads or information regarding Tracey's disappearance, please come forward. Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Tracey are urged to contact Crimestoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.   

 "Leanne was much more than a missing persons case. She was a beloved daughter, sister, friend and a valued member of her community.

She loved music, spending time with her family and friends, socialising and dancing. Growing up during the vibrant music scene of the 1970s, Leanne embraced life and enjoyed the friendships and experiences that came with that era. Leanne was due to begin a course at Newcastle Art College in February 1979, an opportunity she was excited about and looking forward to.

Although her parents, and her brothers Warren and Brian, have since passed away, the pain of not knowing what happened to Leanne has never left her family. Her surviving siblings, Rod, Malcolm and Pam, have spent almost five decades searching for answers and continue to hope that the truth about Leanne's disappearance will one day be known. Leanne is not forgotten and her family deserve answers."

Missing since: 30 December, 1978

Last seen: Muswelllbrook, NSW

Responsible jurisdiction: NSW

Year of birth: 1958

Gender: Female

Build: Medium

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Brown

Complexion: Tanned

Additional information: Leanne's case has relevance to the Muswellbrook, Lake Macquarie (Belmont) and Newcastle areas of NSW. Please come forward if you have any information relating to Leanne and any of these areas.

 Despite extensive inquiries and search efforts over the years, Leanne's disappearance remains unresolved. This case relies heavily on community information. If you have any leads or information regarding Leanne's disappearance, please come forward. Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Leanne are urged to contact Crimestoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.   

 "I wish everyday to see Ian again. To see his smile, to sit and talk about old times. To give him a hug. To tell him about everything he has missed and for him to tell me the same. So many years of the unknown of wondering...

As tears roll down my face, I sit here and take a deep breath and continue to keep living day by day hoping for something, some clue of where you are of what happened to you. 

Hoping with my health the way it is after the brain tumor and strokes that I will still be here when answers are finally revealed ...

40 years, 14,610 days without you, but I love you Ian with all my heart and I will never give up hope ♥️"

Missing since: 19th May, 1986

Last seen: Minto

Responsible jurisdiction: NSW

Year of birth: 1969

Gender: Male

Build: Solid

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Hazel

Complexion: Olive

Distinguishing features: Tattoo of a spider (graphic) on back top right arm and tattoo ‘EH’ (text) on back of right hand.

Additional information: Ian had ties to Melbourne, Lismore, Paddy's Flat and Blacktown, and frequently travelled to those areas

This case relies heavily on community information. If you have any leads or information regarding Ian's disappearance, please come forward. Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Ian are urged to contact Crimestoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000. There is a current petition to assign a monetary reward to Ian's case, you can support by signing, please click here. 

"Missing at age 21 in 1977

A life full of light, grace and adventure.

A light that should have shined much much longer.

A life full of enjoyment and plans for a further.

A friendly happy person that believed in the good in people.

A person loved and missed by family and friends then, now, always."

Missing since: 20 July 1977

Last seen: Grafton, NSW
Responsible: Jurisdiction - NSW
Age at date of disappearance: 21
Gender: Female
Build: Medium
Height: 165cm
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Hazel
Ancestry: Caucasian

Additional information: Narelle left home to hitchhike to Noosa, Qld - she had with her some clothes and her guitar.

This case relies heavily on community information. If you have any leads or information regarding Narelle's disappearance, please come forward.   Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Narelle are urged to contact Crimestoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.

"As Simon is Bob's beloved son, it is like having a festering hurt, which can never leave us or his siblings."

Missing since: 21 July 2005
Last seen: Surry Hills, NSW
Responsible Jurisdiction: NSW

Year of Birth: 1973
Gender: Male
Build: Solid
Height: 182cm
Hair: Ginger/Red
Eyes: Blue
Complexion: Fair

Additional information: Simon was last seen at the City Crown Hotel in Surry Hills, Sydney with his silver "Gary Fischer" bike.

This case relies heavily on community information. If you have any leads or information regarding Simon's disappearance, please come forward. There is currently a $250,000 reward in place for information leading to the discovery of Simon's whereabouts or disclosing the circumstances of his disappearance.  Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Simon are urged to contact Crimestoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.

"Leslie mattered to the people in his life because he was a great person, he would go out of his way to help anyone he could, he was a great father and an even better grandfather.

To have no answers doesn't give us the chance to fully process not having him around, he deserved far better and we deserve answers and a chance to say goodbye to someone who was so incredibly special to us."

Missing since: 17 October 2023

Last seen: Ramornie Station Road, Ramornie, NSW

Responsible jurisdiction: NSW

Year of birth: 1959

Gender: Male

Build: Thin

Height: 170cm

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Brown

Complexion: Fair

Additional information: Leslie lived alone in a caravan on a remote 100 acre property near Grafton. Leslie has mobility issues from an old back injury and has failed to attend appointments after he was last seen.

This case relies heavily on community information. If you have any leads or information regarding Leslie's disappearance, please come forward. Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Leslie are urged to contact Crimestoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.

"Daniel Colin Copeland matters. He is a son, a brother, an uncle, a father, a partner, a stepfather and a much-loved mate. To those who know him, he was a true larrikin —  funny, cheeky and larger than life, with an ability to make people laugh and an even  bigger heart. He touched the lives of so many people, and his disappearance has left an enormous hole in the lives of those who love him. He is not a case number, a police file or simply a face on a missing person poster. He is Daniel, Danny and Dan. He lived, he  laughed, he loved and he made memories with people who are still waiting for him to  come home. Daniel mattered before he disappeared. He matters today. And until we have answers, we will keep telling his story and saying his name."

Missing since: 3rd September 2023

Last seen: Maclean, NSW

Responsible jurisdiction: NSW

Clothing:  Last seen in blue North Queensland Cowboys NRL shorts, a green long-sleeved shirt and a white baseball cap  

Gender: Male

Tattoos: Full right-arm sleeve tattoo, half left-arm tattoo and a tattoo on his  spine 

Height: 165cm

Hair: Mohawk style 

Eyes: Blue

Complexion: Fair

Additional information:  Daniel was picked up in Maclean by a silver Mitsubishi Lancer while he  was walking to his partner's home.  Police stated Daniel was sighted the following day, Monday,  4 September, in the Wooli area as a passenger in the silver Mitsubishi Lancer 

More than three years later, Daniel's family, partner and the people who love him are still  waiting for answers.  Someone knows what happened to him after he was picked up in Maclean. Someone  may have seen Daniel, the silver Mitsubishi Lancer or something that seemed  insignificant at the time but could now help piece together what happened.  No piece of information is too small.  Someone, somewhere, knows something.  Because Daniel matters.   Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Daniel are urged to contact Crimestoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.

"To the world, she is a missing person
To us, she is our mum, and she deserves to be found
She is so much more than a photograph on a poster, a case number or another sad statistic
She is a Wife, Daughter, Sister, Mother, Grandmother and Friend
She is loved. She is missed and we think about her every single day
Behind every missing person is a family waiting for a phone call, an answer and the chance to bring them home
Her story doesn't end here, and we refuse to give up hope"

Missing since: 5th May 2026

Last seen: Kariong, NSW

Responsible jurisdiction: NSW

DOB:  13/01/1966  

Gender: Female

Build: Thin

Hair: Sholder length greying blonde 

Eyes: Blue

Complexion: Fair

Distinguishing features:  Coloured tattoo on mid lower back featuring a tiger's face inside the outline of a butterfly

Additional information: Rita was last seen walking south on Woy Woy Road, in the vicinity of Geoffrey Joseph Close, Kariong on the 5th May 2026 at 10:45 am. CCTV of her last known sighting shows her wearing denim jeans, black shirt, denim jacket and purple-ish/pink scarf, brown shoes and carrying a tote bag  

The case remains open with the Water Police (Gosford NSW) under Strike Force Raxel.
This case relies heavily on community information. If you have any leads or information regarding Rita's disappearance, please come forward.
Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Ritas are urged to contact Crimestoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.