Divers to search Baroon Pocket Dam near Montville for Edan Huntington
An ex-military group will join the search for Mermaid Waters man Edan Huntington on steep, bushy terrain near Montville.
Police & Courts
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Police divers have completed their search of a Sunshine Coast hinterland dam and an ex-military group will continue to look for a Mermaid Waters man.
Nambour Criminal Investigation Branch Detective Sergeant Paul Reilly said the police divers had conducted an extensive search of Baroon Pocket Dam on Thursday and found no sign of Edan Huntington.
Mr Huntington was visiting Montville family when he left unexpectedly and without notifying anyone in the early hours of January 18.
He left in a grey Ford Territory with New South Wales registration.
Sergeant Reilly said police would conduct door knocks in Montville’s Hunchy Rd area at the weekend and a group of skilled ex-military people would also search the steep and bushy terrain near the Altitude on Montville hotel, where Mr Huntington’s vehicle was last sighted about 4am.
“We’ve used them in other missing person searches and they’re very skilled at what they do,” he said.
The detective said the vehicle was last seen stopped in the middle of Maleny-Montville Rd and facing north.
Earlier this week, police called for a woman to come forward who was seen shortly after 4am walking along Main St, near Hoffman Court.
Sergeant Reilly said police had information that led them to believe the woman was a hitchhiker who was “in proximity” to Mr Huntington’s vehicle but appeared to be travelling in the opposite direction.
She was described as being in her late 30s or early 40s with dark long hair that was tied back and wearing a white shirt and maroon and purple shorts with a black bag.
The detective said the woman may have information that could help the investigation into the disappearance.
CCTV footage was also released of Mr Huntington, barefoot and wearing a blue shirt, black shorts and a white cap with black sunglasses.
Sergeant Reilly asked Montville and Maleny residents living on acreage, especially those in the Hunchy Rd area, to check any thick scrub or little-used paddocks on their properties for signs of Mr Huntington’s vehicle.
He said police divers would start searching parts of Baroon Pocket Dam this week after first combing part of it about three weeks ago.
He said the officers would use sonar on their boat to search parts of the dam accessible to vehicles like boat ramps.
Mr Huntington’s family marked his 29th birthday on March 3 and his mum Delia Harpur said she woke every morning in tears.
“It’s absolutely insane, the whole thing is bizarre, none of it makes sense,” she said.
“It’s totally out of character for Edan.”
The Lismore mum said she had started to pack up her son’s storage units and had also spent time messaging his social media contacts who lived on the Sunshine Coast because she intended to visit the region soon.
The family is still raising funds through GoFundMe to help them search for Mr Huntington.
Ms Harpur pleaded for anyone with information about her son to come forward.
“Someone knows something, no matter how small it is,” Ms Harpur said.
Anyone who has seen Mr Huntington or his vehicle, a grey Ford Territory with the NSW registration CQG59F, or who could have any information which could help police is urged to contact police.qld.gov.au/reporting or phone 131 444.
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