Police continue to appeal for public help to identify a man one year after his body was found in a large waterway on the Sunshine Coast.
Police were called to a site under the Talep (Maroochy River) Bridge on November 30, 2023, after a member of the public discovered the body in the Maroochy River.
The death has been deemed non-suspicious.
After no reported missing persons matched the man’s identity, an in-depth investigation by the Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch ensued.
The past 12 months have involved public appeals, DNA testing, working to match the internal surgical nails in the man’s right knee with a hospital and enquiries through the global INTERPOL network.
Sunshine Coast Criminal Investigation Branch Officer in Charge Detective Acting Senior Sergeant Chris Duhig said investigations were ongoing.
“Though the investigation has been ongoing for a year now, it is not over,” he said.
“We will continue to proactively work to identify him through all avenues and resources available to us, internally and with the assistance of external and international agencies.
“It’s also not too late to contact police if you have information that may assist. We are continuing to investigate new leads.
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“It really has become a mystery that I know the Sunshine Coast community are invested in.
“We all want to see this man identified so his body can be returned to his loved ones.
“If he is from overseas or interstate, we hope visitors that travel to the Sunshine Coast over the holiday period will see his picture on the posters and recognise him.
“As we head into the festive season, where extended families and groups gather, we urge people to contact police if their brother, dad, uncle, son, nephew, friend or employee is missing.
“Someone knows this man.”
Police have released vision of an interview with the lead detective of the investigation, Todd Korac, along with CCTV footage.
Anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV footage or has information to assist the identification process is urged to contact police.
If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting. Report crime information anonymously via Crime Stoppers. Call 1800 333 000 or report online at www.crimestoppersqld.com.au. Quote this reference number: QP2302000787
