Family, friends fear for missing Mypolonga man nearly a week into search

Mypolonga locals have growing concerns after well-known local Steven Bailey went missing nearly a week ago, believed to be wearing only one shoe.

Mypolonga man, Steven Bailey, has been missing for nearly a week, and the local community has significant concerns. Picture: Facebook

Not knowing is the biggest concern for family and friends of Mypolonga man, Steven Bailey, who has been missing for nearly a week, believed to be only wearing one shoe.

Mr Bailey, 62, was last seen leaving his Lobethal workplace about 3pm on Friday, February 28 and his gold Hyundai Elantra was found abandoned in the Ngarkat Conservation Park on Sunday.

Mypolonga local, Brendan Zadow, said Mr Bailey didn’t have much family, but was made a part of Mypolonga’s Jones family after becoming best mates with Paul Jones — Mr Zadow’s father-in-law.

Police are seeking the assistance of the public to help locate missing Mypolonga man Steven Bailey., Steven Bailey, 62, was last physically seen leaving his Lobethal workplace about 3pm Friday 28 February. Picture: SA Police

Though Mr Bailey is “quite a fit person”, Mr Zadow said he was believed to be only wearing one shoe in some “pretty tough terrain”.

“Steve doesn’t have much family, but he’s as close family as it comes,” he said.

“He would come for Christmas, birthdays, all that sort of stuff, and has been around as long as I’ve been a part of the family.

“The biggest thing is not knowing, we’ve been worried that he’s gone off and we’re just thinking of every sort of scenario.

“We’re getting quite concerned as the days go on, time’s ticking.”

Police continue searching for Mypolong man Steven Bailey. Picture: SAPOL

Mr Zadow said his father-in-law was down in the area of the conservation park on Thursday putting up posters, hoping that Mr Bailey was found and well.

Murray Mallee police along with Star Group officers, Mounted Operations Unit, PolAir have been conducting an extensive search of the park since Sunday.

Local SES crews, some with thermal imaging devices and drones, have been helping police with the search, across several square kilometres of scrub.

A ground search for Mr Bailey kicked off again on Wednesday morning, in the Ngarkat Conservation Park area – around 200 kilometres south east of Adelaide near the Victorian border.

Mr Zadow said he was down helping the search himself earlier in the week, doing what he could on the ground while police helicopters flew around the area.

“Police have been really good with everything they’ve done and are still doing, it’s pretty tough terrain so it’s not easy,” he said.

Mr Bailey used to hold boxing classes in Murray Bridge’s Nungas Gym.

A former colleague and acquaintance of Mr Bailey, Murray Bridge local Josh Mildwaters, said his boxing had a significant impact on many young people.

“When I was a kid, I worked with him at Thomas Foods and he was always nice,” Mr Mildwaters said.

“What goes unsaid is the impact he had on a lot of younger kids’ lives while he was a boxing coach.

“I watched him once … I just sat there in awe of the person he is. I hope he gets home safe.”

Anyone who spots Steven or has information on his whereabouts is asked to contact the police assistance line immediately on 131 444 and quote reference: 59133

Originally published as Family, friends fear for missing Mypolonga man nearly a week into search