The Australian Federal Police has released a unique series of images that capture how seven Australians – who have been missing for up to 40 years – could look today as it urges the public to help solve the mystery behind these heartbreaking cases.
The age progressed images have been created by AFP forensic artists and will be featured across a series of short videos to be progressively launched from today for National Missing Persons Week 2021 (NMPW), which runs from 1-7 August. The theme for NMPW 2021 is: “Their face might have changed. Missing them hasn’t.”
Police say families of each of the missing persons were directly involved in the production of the videos, providing personal images and describing the emotions and heartache they have lived with while searching tirelessly for their missing loved one.
The AFP’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) Coordinator, Jodie McEwan said the age progression campaign was an opportunity to educate the broader community on the need to be aware that long-term missing persons have aged and could look very different to the last time they were seen.
“This year’s campaign acknowledges that as people age, their appearance changes and this obviously also applies to those who are missing. Using the capabilities of specialist AFP forensic artists who work closely with family members, we are able to produce a depiction of how the missing person could look today,” Ms McEwan said.
“It is hoped the images, some of which show how a person may look more than 40 years after going missing, provide the community with an updated idea of who we continue to search for.
“The seven people who will be featured throughout the week all have families who continue to wait for answers. They are sons and daughters, parents, siblings, colleagues and friends. They are more than faces on a poster or a website, they are real people who are valued members of their communities and we continue the search to find them.
“If you have any piece of information that you think could assist police, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.”
William Fenner has spent the past 22 years seeking answers to the whereabouts of his mother Christine (pictured, right), who went missing from Bundaberg, Queensland. He said that if his mother happened to see the campaign, he would want to pass on one simple message to her.
“I would say to her that I love her,” he said.
“I love her very much and she is very much missed by the family. I still wish she was here with us in this life, to come and share laughter and fun times. It definitely means a lot to get this far down the track and still have people that are willing to help me.”
“My mum’s wish was for her ashes to be scattered in Fremantle, WA. If she is no longer alive, we would love to be able to honor this wish so we ask that if anyone has information, please come forward,” says William.
Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said National Missing Persons Week shone a light on those still missing, but also on the families, friends, and loved ones they left behind.
“If the AFP’s advanced imagery and world leading forensic artistry can provide answers to just one family, this initiative would be a great success,” Minister Andrews said.
“As these aged images demonstrate so clearly – the pain, heartbreak, and tragedy of a missing person’s case can linger for many years. They also serve as a stark reminder of Australian law enforcement’s dogged pursuit of answers, and of justice for those who may have disappeared in suspicious circumstances.”
To view the age progression videos, please follow AFP and NMPCC social media channels: NMPCC Facebook and AFP Facebook.
