Lee Eastham missing in Whitsundays as family holds onto hope

More than two weeks after a fisherman and his loyal dog set out to catch prawns for dinner and vanished, his parents have made a heartfelt statement about their son.

A missing fisherman’s parents believe their son is now part of the Great Barrier Reef after more than two weeks of extensive search operations failed to find any sign of him.

Lee Eastham had packed his tinny for a quick trip out to get some prawns for dinner with his loyal jack russell Axle on Thursday, April 7.

He had told new-found friends and campers he would be back, and launched his boat at the Pioneer Bay boat ramp about 4.30pm.

He left his phone and back medication in his car, the intention being he returned to cook up his catch.

Volunteer Marine Rescue Whitsunday was one of the key units to search the region’s waterways searching for any sign of the Hervey Bay man, working with police and the CQ Rescue that provided aerial support.

His parents have maintained a seaside vigil as the search for Mr Eastham continued daily, holding onto hope he or his boat would be found.

Lee Eastham left the Pioneer Bay boat ramp about 4.30pm on Thursday, April 7.

But that hope has now faded, with Mr Eastham’s mother Gail Eastham posting on social media she believed her son was now “part of the Barrier Reef”.

“Thank you all from the bottom of our hearts,” she posted.

“The effort that everyone has put in to look for our beloved Lee and little Axle, there are no words that I can put together for all your efforts other than thank you, thank you, thank you.

“We believe he is now part of the Barrier Reef right where he loved to be.

“He loved fishing, the ocean and the corals.

“Wherever he may be, the love for our son will never die.

“God bless you all.”

Tammy Leech, who became a support person for Mrs Eastham and her family during the search, earlier said the Hervey Bay was an experienced survivalist which gave hope he would be found.

Axle the Jack Russell, the beloved dog of Lee Eastham who launched his boat at Pioneer Bay boat ramp on April 7, 2022, and has not been seen since. Picture: Contributed

Originally from the Gold Coast, Mr Eastham moved to Hervey Bay in November but had made yearly fishing trips to the Whitsundays.

He was known in the area as a semi-regular on the trips, making friends with backpackers and campers, and happy to make the trip on his own.

His family has stayed in the Whitsundays, waiting for any sign of the 36 year old.

“There are two theories – that he was swept out with the current to sea which, in this case, you never know if he drifted off the coast further, or north to Bowen or Townsville,” Ms Leech said.

He was last seen in a three-metre tinnie with rego number ZV7160.

“The other possibility is – did he get to land and if he did get to land, there is still a good possibility he is still alive.

“He is a massive survivalist, has been through horror stuff overseas, and he would have his dog with him.

“People out on their boats, if they see that dog, Lee will be very close.”

Mr Eastham is described as caucasian with a slim build and short brown hair.

He was seen travelling in a 2000 Bluefin Trecker tinnie with registration ZV7160.

A search involving Whitsunday Water Police, VMR Whitsunday, RACQ CQ Rescue, was launched but failed to find any sign of him.

Ms Leech said Mr Eastham would be skilled enough to survive if he made it to land, able to make a shelter and catch fish to eat.

RACQ CQ Rescue conducted a three-hour aerial search of the coastline between Conway Point and Dingo Beach on Sunday, April 10, for Lee Eastham, reported missing since Thursday, April 7. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue

“If he was swept out to sea, there’s not much he could do, but if on land, he would survive,” she said.

“He has a boat to use as shelter, he would catch oysters and fish.

“He has a very bad back but he would know that in his mind, too.

“He would have set himself up.”

The flight path of the RACQ CQ Rescue chopper, which conducted a three-hour aerial search of the coastline between Conway Point and Dingo Beach on Sunday, April 10, for Lee Eastham, reported missing since Thursday, April 7. Picture: RACQ CQ Rescue

Ms Leech has helped start the Lee Eastham Official Community Search page and an online fundraiser to support his family to stay in Airlie Beach until they find him.

The account has raised more than $1700.

Ms Leech said Mr Eastham had all necessary safety equipment on his boat, except an EPIRB and his mobile phone.

“He’s told people he will be back,” she said.

“He didn’t even take the dog food, it’s still in the back of the car.”

She said his family was overwhelmed at the community support to help find Mr Eastham.

Support the online fundraiser here.