Simon Polpouk’s family reveals heartache after teen’s body found in Melbourne

Sunshine Coast restaurant owners who spent two hellish weeks searching for their son when he disappeared in Melbourne have opened up about his tragic final moments.

Simon Polpouk and Cheng Panis. Picture: Contributed/Facebook

A Coolum Beach woman’s teenage son was just 50m away from a friend when he tragically drowned in a Melbourne river, devastating his family who spent weeks searching in hope.

Si Suphan owners Cheng Panis and her partner Richard Pattinger scoured the streets of Docklands in Melbourne after Simon Polpouk vanished on October 5.

The 19-year-old was last seen sitting outside a Newquay Promenade restaurant about 4am after a night with friends and failed to return to their accommodation.

CCTV footage viewed by the couple showed the 19-year-old drinking at a nightclub before he was seen hours later exiting a cab with a mate in Newquay Promenade.

The pair were walking next to the Yarra River when police believe the Shepparton teen sat down along the edge of the river before passing out and falling in.

His friend was only 50m away when this happened, passed out on a park bench.

Shepparton Simon Polpouk who went missing in Docklands on October 7, 2022. Picture: Facebook

A Victoria Police spokesman said Mr Polpouk was found dead on October 20 following an extensive search.

His death is being treated as non-suspicious.

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Mr Pattinger and Ms Panis said they went through “unimaginable” hell following the loss of the 19-year-old.

“It was a terrible for two weeks, we went through hell trying to find him,” he said.

“He was a really innocent kid and he never usually went out, that was the sad part. He wasn’t that type of kid.”

Simon Polpouk and his mum Cheng Panis. Picture: Contributed

Mr Pattinger said it was devastating to have the teen’s life cut short when he had so much to live for and was so loved.

He graduated high school in Shepparton and was studying photography and computer programming, making regular trips to the Sunshine Coast to visit his mum and work in her restaurant.

“He was always a happy kid,” Mr Pattinger said.

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Ms Panis is trying to process the devastating loss of her son and intends to take his ashes to Thailand, with plans for another funeral ceremony with relatives.

A GoFundMe has been created to help with funeral costs and to assist Mr Polpouk’s family during this difficult period. Anyone who wishes to can donate here.