Kyle Morris, 20, understood to be found dead, after going missing for a week
A father has shared his grief after a desperate search to find his 20-year-old Brisbane son last seen wandering into bushland without shoes ended in tragedy.
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A 20-year-old Brisbane man last seen wandering barefoot into bushland a week ago has been found dead after a large-scale search by family, police and friends.
The body of St Pauls School graduate Kyle Morris is understood to have been found by police near Linkfield Rd, Bridgeman Downs, Monday afternoon between 2 and 3pm.
It follows a week of searching and a social media campaign by his parents, Darren and Natasha Morris, which quickly gathered traction as family, friends and thousands of others shared it forward.
Darren Morris said he and many others have been left heartbroken.
“Even though this is devastating to Kyle’s family and friends, it is only through all of your efforts, care, concern, best wishes, sharing of posts, posting up flyers, the great SES volunteers (Anita and the team), the police force (Corey, Troy, Kayne and the team at Albany Creek) etc that we found him so quickly and the family can now rest, knowing that Kyle is not alone and suffering somewhere,” Mr Morris said.
“You should all be proud of yourselves as a community.
“I thank you all from the bottom of my broken heart. Rest in peace mate.”
Mr Morris said his son was studying business at Griffith part-time, and was working with him learning to be a consultant.
“He was a wonderful boy, friendly and polite,” Mr Morris said.
“He loved riding motorbikes and jetskis. Keen to have a successful career.”
His father said he had been studying hard for his third year university exams and completing assignments.
“(Kyle) suffered from anxiety at times. But 95 per cent of the time he was a happy, well adjusted young man,” Mr Morris said.
Thousands of people across Queensland had shared photos and posts on social media since Kyle went missing a week ago. Now they have taken to sharing tributes to Kyle and his family.
“Rest in peace Kyle Morris” has been shared across a plethora of local Brisbane community Facebook pages, as the city collectively shares in the family’s grief.
Just a few days before the tragedy, Mr Morris shared a letter on social media of what he wanted Kyle to know.
“Hey mate. I love you,” he said.
“Your mum loves you. Your grandparents love you. Your sister even loves you! Ivy misses you (she misses sitting under your desk while you study).
“Thousands of good people you have never even met, care about you and want to see you back, safe and sound, with your family.
“I can’t imagine what you are going through, or what possessed you to leave like this, but please give me a chance to help you through it.
“If I missed the signs that you were hurting or struggling, I am so sorry. Please give me the opportunity to make it up to you, to be a better dad, I won’t let you down again.
“I know you are strong and independent and want to solve your own problems, but we all need help from time to time. I won’t think less of you.
“There is no shame or weakness in asking for it, especially from your family. Come back and let’s face this together.
“At the very least, please get a message to someone that you are okay. We can take baby steps from there (remember ‘cinch by the inch’).
“I love you. Dad.”
Last week Kyle’s mother Natasha Morris shared a post to social media saying Kyle was spotted between 2.30 and 3am Monday morning (June 12) on a property near Beckett Rd “potentially under the influence”.
“We are hoping he may be passed out somewhere but are very concerned for his safety,” Mrs Morris said.
“Prior to being spotted on the Beckett Rd property he was last seen walking in Karri Place towards Casuarina St wearing tshirt, shorts, no shoes and a black motorcycle helmet at 2am Monday morning (June 12).
“If anyone has seen him or has any footage from their security cameras please reach out to me (his mother) or his father Darren Morris.”
Mr Morris said the last CCTV footage of Kyle’s location was from the Victory Church.
“It shows Kyle heading North at the corner of Linkfield Rd and Bridgeman Road, Bridgeman Downs, on Monday (June 12) morning around 4am.”
Police said they were working with the coroner to finalise formal identification a body, which was located in bushland off Millar Road, Bridgeman Downs yesterday.
His mother, Natasha Morris, has been contacted for comment.
If this story has raised any issues contact:
Lifeline: 13 1114
Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800
Kids Helpline for Parents: 1300 30 1300
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