Monday, August 04, 2008

Search continues for Dubbo quartet

Search continues for Dubbo quartet

5/08/2008 9:15:00 AM
The family of Dubbo man Harry Gordon Youl have been left wondering where he is for the past 18 years - almost to the day.

The case of the missing man, who would today be 71 years old, is set for a coronial inquest in Dubbo later this month where it is hoped some of his family’s lingering questions will be answered.

Mr Youl was last seen on August 2 1990 when he told his work mates he was going out for lunch.

He never returned.

During national Missing Persons Week, Mr Youl remains one of four local people still missing from the region and one of about 35,000 people reported missing to police each year.

While more than 95 per cent of those reported missing are found soon after their disappearance is reported, more than 1600 remain missing for more than six months.

Such is the case of another missing Dubbo person, Mary Elizabeth Quy, who was last seen in February 1991.

Despite extensive search efforts conducted by police and Dubbo Rescue Squad immediately after her disappearance, including a search on the banks of the Macquarie River, Mrs Quy has never been found. She went missing from her Cobra Street home and was sighted in the early hours of February 11 in West Dubbo.

The case is 17 years old but local detectives say they still receive information on the matter.

“Any information from the public - the smallest things might help, and police will look into everything,” Detective Senior Constable Luke Scott, one of the officers in charge of the local missing persons portfolio, said.

He said as soon as there was a concern for welfare, residents should report their loved one missing.

Probably the most well-known local missing person of recent times is Lateesha Nolan, who disappeared in 2005.

Police harbour grave fears for the young mother’s safety and are still on the hunt for Dubbo fugitive Malcolm Naden, who is wanted for questioning over her disappearance and the death of another Dubbo mother, Kristy Scholes.

Ms Nolan was 24 when she disappeared - last seen in January 2005 at a house on Bumblegumbie Road.

The focus of this year’s Missing Persons Week, with the theme ‘Don’t Close the Door to Communication’, is young people who go missing.

The key messages for people who are currently missing is that police and family want to know they are safe and are urging them to communicate in some way to indicate their safety.

The fourth missing Dubbo person is Jaswinder Singh, who has not been seen in the region for about three weeks.

Police are urging the man to contact his family, or family friends, and let them know he is safe. Anyone with information on a missing person can contact their local police station.

emily.wheeler@ruralpress.com

HARRY GORDON YOUL

Last seen on August 2 1990 in Dubbo

Was 53 when he went missing

Would be 71 now

DOB 15/03/1937

174cm, medium build, grey hair, blue / grey eye colour, Caucasian.

LATEESHA JANE NOLAN

DOB 23 / 05 / 1980

Was 24 when she went missing

Would be 28 now

Last seen on January 4 2005 in Dubbo

165cm, brown hair, green / hazel eyes, medium build, Aboriginal

MARY QUY

DOB 1921

Was 70 when she went missing

Would be 87 now

Was last seen in Cobra Street, Dubbo on February 11 1991.

Grey hair, medium build with brown eyes.