Family left to keep hope alive
THE father of Jayden Penno-Tompsett says “hope” is keeping the missing man’s family together.
Mr Penno- Tompsett was last seen some time between 5.30am and 10am on December 31 on a rural road near Charters Towers.
More than 15 police officers and 30 State Emergency Service volunteers will today search for the missing man along Stockroute Rd, Breddan.
In the two weeks since his disappearance, none of Mr Penno- Tompsett’s family or friends have heard from him – something his father, Branden Tompsett said was out of character.
“He’s gone to ground before,” Mr Tompsett said.
“He a guy who likes to deal with his stuff on his own, but to not be in contact with his close friends or us is the big thing.
“My hope is he’s OK and has just gone to ground, is looking after himself and keeping his head low.”
Mr Penno- Tompsett, 22, was travelling from Newcastle to Cairns for New Year’s Eve celebrations with his friend Lucas Tattersall.
It is understood the pair had an argument and Mr Penno-Tompsett decided to leave the maroon Nissan Pulsar they were travelling in.
CCTV footage from a roadhouse on the Flinders Highway at Charters Towers showed the pair together at 3am.
More vision showed the two men driving in the Nissan along Mossman St, Charters Towers, at 5.30am.
It was between then and 10am that Mr Penno- Tompsett left Mr Tattersall, who was next seen talking to a member of the public without his friend.
Police believe Mr Tattersall spent several hours looking for Mr Penno- Tompsett and CCTV footage shows he left Charters Towers headed east and then doubled back to the town.
In a series of social media posts, Mr Tattersall lashed out at those suggesting he should have done more to help Mr Penno- Tompsett.
“I’m sorry to tell you but if someone wants to just up and leave and f-- k off then that’s what they are gonna do.
“( You) don’t understand how hard I tried to help Jayden when I with him and calm him down so we can sort this out.”
He said he was heartbroken about what had happened.
“He is my mate and I’m hurt too please stop making out I’m just some heartless pr-- k that left him out there to die.”
Charters Towers police station officer- in- charge Senior Sergeant Graham Lohmann said police were becoming increasingly concerned as efforts to find the Newcastle man had come up empty.
Two air and land searches have now been conducted in the Charters Towers area since his disappearance, both yielding no trace of the man, and despite many reported sightings, none have been confirmed.
“As each day passes with him not being located it causes greater stress to his family and friends,” Sen- Sgt Lohmann said.
Mr Tompsett said he did not believe anything “sinister” happened to his son and said the searches failing to locate his son gave him hope he was still travelling.
He was holding out hope that someone who might have given Jayden a lift somewhere, or his son himself, will soon break their silence.
“He’s a good kid, he’s got a great heart and I love him,” Mr Tompsett said.
“His mother ( Rachel Penno) and I are a mess … we feel very helpless but we have to stay strong.
“We just want to give him a hug really.”
The truth about what happened to Mr Penno- Tompsett is the talk of the Towers.
Charters Towers Regional Council Mayor Liz Schmidt
said there were all kinds of theories floating around with many concerned the young man may have fallen into a mine shaft.
Irish Molly’s Court House Hotel publican Millie Marsterson said “a lot of people are talking about it … saying it’s such a mystery what happened to him or where he is”.
At the time of his disappearance, Mr Penno- Tompsett was wearing a black singlet, navy blue board shorts, and black and red thongs.
It is understood he did not have a phone in his possession.
Anyone with information that could help police locate Jayden Penno- Tompsett should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 00 or Police Link on 131 444.