Missing persons Tanya Buckland and Barbara Troughton left home never to be seen again

A WOMAN whose belongings were found in the home of accused triple murderer Vincent O’Dempsey is one of more than 200 people listed as Queensland’s “long-term missing”.

Tanya Buckland was last seen in Warwick just before her 37th birthday in 2014. Police say she may be still alive.

A WOMAN whose belongings were found in the home of accused triple murderer Vincent O’Dempsey is one of more than 200 people listed as Queensland’s “long-term missing”.

But the head of the Queensland Police Missing Person’s Unit, Detective Senior Sergeant Damien Powell, says he believes Warwick woman Tanya Buckland is alive and well.

The latest available statistics have 209 people listed as missing for more than three months in Queensland. A further 100 people are recorded as lost at sea.

Tanya Buckland’s belongings were found in the home of Vincent O’Dempsey, who is accused of the 1974 murder of Barbara McCulkin and her daughters. Picture: Nine News

Ms Buckland disappeared from Warwick in August 2014 just before her 37th birthday. Her mother had flown to Queensland from the US to celebrate the ­occasion.

“She told her teenage daughter she was going away for a year and headed into New South Wales,” Sen-Sgt Powell said. “She hasn’t made contact with friends or family since. We believe she is alive.”

Sen-Sgt Powell said police did not know what involvement Ms Buckland had with O’Dempsey, only that some of her property was found at the ageing gangster’s house.

O’Dempsey is accused of one of Queensland’s most horrific crimes – the 1974 murder of Barbara McCulkin and her daughters. He and another man were arrested in late 2014, weeks after Ms Buckland was last seen.

Ms Buckland posted a photo of herself following publicity about her disappearance, indicating she was in NSW, but she has made no further contact.

“It’s hard to say (why she left), but obviously all our ­inquiries have drawn a blank. There is no evidence of her (being alive) but she may well have the capabilities to use a different name or work for cash in hand,” Sen-Sgt Powell said. “It’s just concerning that she hasn’t contacted her daughter.”

The kitchen in the Highgate Hill home where Barbara McCulkin and her daughters were living in 1974. Their murder remained unsolved for decades. Pic: Supplied

Another long-term missing person is Toowoomba woman Barbara Troughton, who disappeared in January last year.

Ms Troughton, 62, was running a small supermarket at the time of her disappearance and was experiencing financial difficulties.

“She left a note for her partner saying she was basically walking away and leaving everything behind, taking only $100 with her.

“There has been nothing to indicate there was anything suspicious about her disappearance,” Sen-Sgt Powell said.

He urged the women to contact police and ease their families’ minds.

Anyone with information should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.