Grandmother delivers stirring speech in Markiah Major inquest

The grandmother of a missing Far North Queensland teen has delivered a stirring and poetic speech in tribute to the 17-year-old that left the court in stunned silence.

Police, SES, divers and a human remains detection dog have scoured remote bushland near Yarrabah for the remains of missing teen Markiah Major.

The grandmother of a missing Far North Queensland teen has delivered a stirring and poetic speech in tribute to the 17-year-old that left the court in stunned silence.

An inquest has been held in Cairns Coroners Court this week in relation to the disappearance of Yarrabah teen Markiah Major who has been missing since August 15 last year.

His paternal grandmother Esalyn Ambrym took to the stand following an already emotional day where the police officer in charge of searching for him broke down.

Ms Ambrym said since his disappearance there had been a “void left by his absence”.

“A constant ache,” she said.

“His laughter filled the corridors. His timid smile brightened up luminous days.

“Every corner of my home whispers memories of Markiah.”

Yarrabah teenager Markiah Major has been missing since August 15.

Ms Ambrym said she had a deep bond with the 17-year-old, and he had grown from a curious child to a shy teenager.

Together they shared “a bond with him that transcended generations”, she added.

“He was a constant in our lives,” she said.

“His disappearance shadows our sense of security. Days bleed into sleepless nights filled with worry and unanswered questions — where is Markiah? is Markiah safe?”

Ms Ambrym said the family was “hoping against hope” he would return “each answered phone call, each knock at the door, only for it to intensify our anguish when we find it is not him”.

“Sometimes in the quiet of the night we imagine he has returned home and can picture him walking through the door ... our lights shine bright waiting for your return,” she said.

Ms Ambrym likened their hope to a candle in the wind, keeping his spirit alive.

“We will love you always,” she said.

The matter returns to Cairns Coroners Court on June 27.

Originally published as Grandmother delivers stirring speech in Markiah Major inquest