Gage Wilson: Missing man’s family issue update after skeletal remains found at Mullumbimby, northern NSW

The family of a missing Byron Shire man have released an update after a search stretching months – stating unidentified human remains have been found near his wrecked car. Here’s what we know.

Gage Wilson with his sister Niki Manidakis (right) and their grandmother Marie before his disappearance. Picture: Elizabeth Kovacs/Supplied

The family of a missing Byron Shire man have released a sad update after months of searching – stating human remains have been found just 1km from where his wrecked car was found.

Mullumbimby man Gage Wilson, 31, was reported missing on May 18.

Police and others searching for Mr Wilson found his abandoned car crashed into a tree on Koonyum Range Rd, Wilsons Creek.

Mr Wilson was last seen on Hakea Court, Mullumbimby about 5am the day he disappeared.

His distressed family told the Byron Shire News they do not believe the disappearance was a case of misadventure.

Tweed-Byron Police Detective Acting Inspector Donna Tutt said in June the search – also involving members of the community – had been difficult due to “dense bushland and steep rainforest” at Wilsons Creek.

She confirmed police had not ruled out foul play.

About 2.30pm on Tuesday, a post on the Help find Gage Wilson Facebook page attributed to Mr Wilson’s sister Niki Manidakis read: “With the search for Gage, this has ended in results.”

Gage Wilson. Picture: Supplied.

“Here are the facts, please do not engage in anything that deviates from what we know,” the post reads.

“Unfortunately, A body has been located 1km away from where Gage crashed his car by some of our volunteer searchers. ️

“The body has been sent to Newcastle for a forensic autopsy and DNA testing to confirm if this may be Gage. Police are 90% sure body is my brother’s.”

NSW Police confirmed skeletal remains had been found.

Officers were called to property on Left Bank Rd, Mullumbimby following reports the remains had been discovered about midday on Sunday, August 4.

Police said formal identification had not yet taken place and forensic examination was still underway to determine the identity of the deceased person.

Once complete, a report will be prepared for the Coroner, police said in a statement.

The search for Mr Wilson. Picture: NewsWire/Natalie Grono

Ms Manidakis asked the public for respect and to dispel speculation or rumours.

“ … as we would find these sort of unfounded rumours or talk to be VERY disrespectful to both our family and ESPECIALLY to GAGE,” she said.

“With missing people it is important to continue to search even when all hope seems to be lost and rumours and speculations start to circulate.

“The families of the missing people are managing information such as facts and timelines that they may not be able to divulge to the public.

“Please do not engage in rumours and stick to facts as it can hinder search efforts for missing individuals. This applies to all cases, not just Gage.”

Ms Manidakis thanked everyone who shed tears and invested their time in the search effort.

“It is a very sad time for us,” Ms Manidakis wrote.

“I will keep you in the loop with further developments on the results of the DNA analysis.”

Do you have information for police? Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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Originally published as Gage Wilson: Missing man’s family issue update after skeletal remains found at Mullumbimby, northern NSW