Tarci Carey missing, vehicle found in Imbil Forestry

The search continues into the mysterious disappearance of Tarci Carey whose car was found abandoned in a forest south of Gympie a week ago. Read the latest:

The search continued on Saturday for Tarci Carey who was last seen a week ago leaving a Nambour home.

It comes as police explore other possibilities behind his mysterious disappearance.

The general manager of Mr Carey has described the 22-year-old as a “friend to many”, as the desperate search to find him was temporarily scaled back on Friday, August 12.

The general manager of Barung Landcare, where Mr Carey has worked for the past three years, said he was beloved by all his co-workers.

“I think that’s why there’s been such a response (to his disappearance),” he said.

“It’s so out of character for him not to turn up (at work on Friday morning).”

The news of Mr Carey’s disappearance affected his co-workers greatly, Mr Evans said, to the point where counselling was now being offered to other employees.

Tarci Carey, 22, was described by Barung Landcare general manager Doug Evans as “friend to many”.

“I think it’s testament to how highly he’s regarded,” Mr Evans said.

He described him as an “active, outdoorsy kind of fella” and an adrenaline junkie.

Mr Carey, who worked in the natural areas department regenerating bush areas, started working with Barung Landcare in 2019 after being selected from a Queensland Government work skills program.

It comes as police confirmed the major search for Mr Carey had been scaled back while they explored other possibilities behind his disappearance.

Imbil Sergeant Bill Greer confirmed the new development on Friday morning and said police and SES crews were not on scene at the search that day, though the search had not been called off.

Friday marks day five of the major search for Mr Carey, and one week since he was last seen leaving a Nambour home.

It comes as police released a new image of Mr Carey on the last day he was seen.

Police have released a photo of missing man Tarci Carey from the day he was last seen after he disappeared from Nambour on August 6, 2022. Photo: Queensland Police

CCTV footage from Forest Glen BP on the Bruce Hwy showed Mr Carey visited the service station at 2.10am on Friday, August 5, before travelling to his home at Meditation Court in Nambour.

Police said Mr Carey then left that address at 4am on Friday, to go to work in Dakabin on the northern outskirts of Brisbane, but he never arrived and has not been heard from since.

A co-worker helping in the search on Thursday described the situation as “horrific” and “terrifying”, as police confirmed they had not ruled out foul play when exploring possible reasons behind his disappearance.

John Skinner joined a team of about 12 rescue volunteers on Thursday, as well as SES and police, in the Brooloo State Forest, as the search for Mr Carey entered its fourth day.

The former Maleny man was last seen leaving Nambour in his silver Mitsubishi Lancer. He has not been seen or heard from since.

Mr Skinner, who worked with Mr Carey at Barung Landcare, said he joined the search party on Tuesday.

“It’s horrific, it’s terrifying, we have absolutely no idea what’s happened to him,” he said.

“We just want him to come home.”

Gympie Inspector Brad Inskip said police held “grave” concerns for Tarci and were investigating other possibilities into his disappearance.

Imbil Sergeant Bill Greer said on Wednesday this included foul play, which was being investigated as a matter of police procedure.

Mr Carey was believed to be going to work at Dakabin before he disappeared, but never arrived.

“I guess any missing person that’s not explained, we always have concerns … and that’s why we’re out here and putting all our effort and resources into searching this area looking for Tarci,” Inspector Inskip said.

Rescue crews have involved police on foot and on motorbikes and ATVs, SES drones and police helicopters as well as community volunteers, but Inspector Inskip said the search party on Thursday would be joined by mounted police on horses from Brisbane.

“We’ve had a lot of support from members of the community, and they do continue to come out and help … and we are very grateful for that,” Inspector Inskip said.

As of 2.30pm on Thursday afternoon, there has been no sighting of Mr Carey.

Concerned friends thanked search volunteers for their help on social media, and encouraged those wanting to join the search party to stay safe and be prepared.

Friend Sienna Conroy took to Facebook on Wednesday and pleaded with the community to come forward if they had any information about her “beautiful friend’s” whereabouts.

Rescue crews and a team of dedicated volunteers have returned to the Imbil State Forest in Brooloo on Thursday to continue their search for missing man Tarci Carey. Thursday marked day four of the search, and day six since his car was found abandoned in the forest.

“Help us to bring Tarci home,” she said.

Sgt Greer described the search area as “thick, heavy terrain” on Monday afternoon.

It comes after Mr Carey’s car was spotted by four-wheel driving enthusiasts near Coonoon Gibber Creek, 6km northeast of Tuchekoi, on Saturday morning; however the group did not realise the car’s significance until they saw a plea for help from Mr Carey’s family on social media.

His family said his disappearance was “very unlike him”.

“We are all so worried,” they said.

The four-wheel-drive group immediately reached out to the family, and the search party began on Monday.

Reports Mr Carey’s keys had been left in the ignition and his ID was left inside the car without a wallet have been circling on social media, but police could not comment on this.

Mr Carey was described as caucasian in appearance, roughly 190cm tall with a proportionate build, brown hair and blue eyes.

He was last seen wearing a grey jumper with blue and red stripes and long black pants.

Anyone with information about Mr Carey’s whereabouts or who may have seen his car between August 5 and August 8 is urged to contact police.