This National Missing Persons week (NMPW) (3-9 August, 2025), the AFP is urging the community to come forward with information that could help bring answers to families of long-term missing persons.
Under the theme Forever Loved, this year's campaign honours the enduring grief, love, and hope held by families whose loved ones have vanished without a trace - and whose absence is felt every single day.
More than 50,000 missing persons reports are made across Australia each year. While most people are found within days, around 2700 people remain missing long-term. For the families left behind, the search never ends.
To raise awareness and spark renewed attention, the AFP's National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC), in partnership with State and Territory police, is highlighting the cases of several long-term missing people:
Megan Mulquiney - missing since July 1984, last seen outside Woden Plaza, Canberra ACT;
Daniel O'Meara - missing since March 2024, last seen in Roleystone Western Australia;
Rista Chanthavixay - missing since March 2009, last seen near Liverpool Westfield Shopping Centre, NSW;
Lorrin Whitehead - missing since February 2013, last seen in Bannockburn, Victoria;
Nicola Sallese - missing since November 2008, last seen in Sheffield, Tasmania;
Lawrence Phillips - missing since June 1987, last seen in Gympie, Queensland;
Angie Lee Fuller - missing since 2023, last seen in Alice Springs, Northern Territory; and
Melissa Trussell - missing since 2000, last seen in Adelaide, South Australia.
AFP Commander Joanne Cameron said the disappearance of Tony Jones in 1982 was the catalyst for the establishment of NMPW in Australia by the Jones family.
"The inaugural week took place with a memorial service in Townsville in 1988, where the Mayor of Townsville planted a tree in commemoration of Mr Jones," Commander Cameron said.
"NMPW continues to this day and is supported throughout the missing persons sector and the broader community to bring much needed awareness and hopefully answers for those left behind.
"In support of NMPW, the AFP's NMPCC coordinates an annual police campaign with State and Territory police, highlighting a different theme each year to raise awareness of the significant issues associated with missing persons, and raise awareness of long-term missing persons to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia."
Commander Cameron said the annual police campaign complemented other campaigns, events, initiatives and memorial services run by families with a missing loved one, advocacy networks, government and non-government organisations, and members of the public.
"Every year, NMPW aims to raise awareness of the significant issues associated with missing persons. The week raises awareness of missing persons and appeals to the public for any information that could help locate them, reminding the public that even the smallest piece of information can be crucial in solving these cases," Commander Cameron said.
"NMPW also serves as reminder of the impacts on families and communities that the disappearance of a loved one leaves. The uncertainty and pain of not knowing what happened can be overwhelming and NMPW is an opportunity to acknowledge the turmoil and longing that families and friends experience.
"The theme for this year's campaign is 'Forever Loved' and focuses on supporting families of missing persons by acknowledging their experiences keeping their loved ones' stories alive and encouraging members of the public to come forward (via Crime Stoppers) with any information they may have."
The number of people that go missing in Australia year on year is steady, with no real increases or decreases in the number of reports made in the past few years.
About 50,000 missing persons reports are received by police in Australia each year, with about half of those reports relating to people aged between 13 and 17.
Most people reported missing are located within a short period of time.
If a person has been missing for more than three months, they are considered to be a long-term missing person.
There are about 2700 long-term missing people in Australia.
Adults are more likely than children and teenagers to be reported missing for longer than three months.
Anyone can go missing regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, or educational background.
There are many reasons people go missing, including mental illness, miscommunication, misadventure, domestic violence and being the victim of a crime. Going missing is not a crime.
The experience of a family member or friend going missing can be profoundly heartbreaking, leading to a unique form of grief called 'ambiguous loss'. The uncertainty surrounding the situation can cause a constant cycle of hope and despair, making it very difficult to move forward.
You do not have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing. If you have concerns for someone's safety and welfare, and their whereabouts is unknown, you can file a missing person report at your local police station.
In Australia, a missing person is defined as anyone who is reported missing to police, whose whereabouts are unknown, and where there are fears for the safety, or concern for the welfare, of that person. A long-term missing person is someone who has been missing for more than three months.
National Missing Persons Week
Members of the community who share their stories and support online throughout National Missing Persons Week 2025 are encouraged to use the hashtag #NMPW2025 and follow NMPCC on Facebook, Instagram and X for the launch of Forever Loved.
Media is encouraged to read the Counselling Framework for guidance when working with families of missing people.
Anyone with information relating to a missing person should contact Crime Stoppers at www.crimestoppers.com.au or on 1800 333 000.
About the NMPCC
The AFP's NMPCC plays an active role in coordinating national police efforts and educating the Australian community to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.
The NMPCC is a non-operational arm of the AFP, which put simply, means the team is not involved in the investigation of missing persons. All investigations are undertaken by the relevant state and territory police.
In support of NMPW, the AFP NMPCC coordinates an annual police campaign with state and territory police, highlighting a different theme each year to raise awareness of the significant issues associated with missing persons and profile long-term missing persons to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.
The annual police campaign complements other campaigns, events, initiatives and memorial services run by families with a missing loved one, advocacy networks, government and non-government organisations, and members of the public.
