Nate Preston: Tributes flow for Nambour man after body found

Family and friends of Nambour man Nate Preston have paid tribute to the 20-year-old who was ‘too kind for this world’ after his body was found in the Mooloolaba marina.

After weeks of heartache and anguish while searching for missing Nambour man Nate Preston his family and friends now have some closure after his body was found in Mooloolaba.

Senior Sergeant Brett Young said a member of the public found Mr Preston on Saturday, June 11, 2022, near a pier outside the marina office in the Mooloolah River and notified the police.

A Queensland Police spokeswoman said they believed the body was that of the missing Nambour man but formal identification was yet to take place.

His mother, Petra Murphy, said the passing of her beloved son had affected so many people in the community.

“Nate wanted the people around him to be happy and made them laugh so hard, always,” Ms Nicole said.

“He had a gift of making people feel so special and so loved. He was a blessing to me, his brother Harley and sister Paige.”

Ms Murphy said they loved him deeply and he was “too kind for this world”.

“Forever 20,” she said.

His former partner, Jessica McIntyre, spoke of Mr Preston’s independent attitude towards life, achieving everything on his own terms.

“Life didn’t make it easy for him but every day he kept pushing through and making so many positive impacts on people's lives along his way,” she said.

“He always knew how to put a smile on everybody’s faces and make light out of every situation.

“He was my first love. I’m going to hold on to every memory very close and cherish them forever, I’ll never forget that cheeky laugh and smile.”

One of his close mates, Chloe Rogan, said she’d remember Mr Preston for his “genuine soul”.

“He was there for me more times than I can count, even when I thought I had absolutely no one,” Ms Rogan said.

“He’d been through some rough times but it’s only what made him stronger, I just wish I could’ve done more for him.

“He’ll forever and always be my best friend, there won’t be a day where he’s not on my mind.”

A GoFundMe has been created for Nate Preston’s funeral costs. Picture: Facebook

Mr Preston went missing after he left a Mooloolaba unit about midnight on May 22, 2022 and did not return to his home in Nambour.

Close friends and family raised the alarm after the 20-year-old failed to go to work as a forklift operator in Kunda Park on May 24.

Friends previously told the Sunshine Coast Daily that they were “broken” by not knowing his whereabouts.

Brisbane-based dive squad officers scoured the canals in Mooloolaba in the weeks after he disappeared hoping to find Mr Preston.

Police discovered Mr Preston’s phone and bumbag on one of the canals near Brisbane Rd and River Esplanade in Mooloolaba on May 27.

Sunshine Coast detectives began to analyse tidal patterns to find Nate as they believed he had entered the canals at some point after his disappearance.

Sadly Mr Preston’s body was found by a member of the public on June 11, 2022 almost three weeks since he disappeared.

A GoFundMe has been created since his passing with all money to go towards his funeral costs.

Police said his death was not being treated as suspicious and a report was being prepared for the coroner.

If you or someone you love is in crisis or needs support right now, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. If it is an emergency please call triple-0.