Missing but still wanted
A GEELONG-raised missing persons campaigner is working to ensure missing people are remembered and not forgotten.
For more than five years former Geelong woman Loren O’Keeffe and her family searched tirelessly for their missing son and brother 24-year-old Daniel.
Now, two years after Daniel’s body was found, Ms O’Keeffe remains dedicated to helping those in need.
This National Missing Persons Week she is urging the community to remember Geelong’s missing people.
“It’s a really important week, not only for the families but also to remind the public that there are loved ones who are out there who are still missing,” Ms O’Keeffe said.
“It’s really important for the public to connect (with the families).
“What we are doing is humanising missing people beyond vital stats.”
Ms O’Keeffe, who is the founder of Australia’s Missing Persons Advocacy Network, is working with 50 families who are searching for their missing loved ones, including missing Bannockburn woman Lorrin Whitehead’s daughter Amelia.
“There is naturally an association with police and crime around missing people and we want to reframe this as a community issue,” she said.
“What we found in our journey with Dan is that by humanising our loved ones, the public and government can get more involved.”
Anyone who has seen people who are missing should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.