Family makes appeal for assistance in search for missing 17-year-old son and grandson, Markiah Major

The shattered family of a Yarrabah teen who has been missing for two months believes someone knows something about his disappearance.

“It’s been too long, we are stuck in the mud here, speak up and say something don’t hide it.

“We need answers, set yourself free from this, let things out and speak out because the family are in pain.”

They are the desperate words from Adelaide Sands who on Thursday pleaded with the public to provide any information on the whereabouts of her grandson, Markiah Major, who has been missing since mid-August.

Last seen in Cairns on Brophy Street, Markiah, 17, disappeared with no trace, no contact with family, and no access to his bank account.

Markiah’s mother Kamaree Major has been heartbroken since.

“We (family) are torn apart, just not knowing where he is, or what has happened to Markiah,” she said.

“I’m not sleeping, the family are devastated. Someone out there knows something and they

need to tell police.

Moira Murgha, Kamaree Major and Adelaide Sands are appealing for information on the whereabouts of Yarrabah teenager Markiah Major, 17, who was last seen in Cairns on August 15. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We need to know what has happened. At first, we thought he might be hiding out, in fear,

but the longer it goes on, with every day that passes, our fear for him grows stronger.

“Please, if you know something please report it to Crime Stoppers. You can do it

anonymously. As a mother I need to know.”

The family confided that Markiah was not perfect, had made mistakes and had been mixed up with a crowd who had influenced him, but he was making efforts to turn his life around.

They fear that something may have happened because of the people he was around.

“He got caught up with friends, being in stolen cars,” his grandmother said.

Yarrabah woman Adelaide Sands is appealing for information on the whereabouts of her grandson Markiah Major, 17, who was last seen in Cairns on August 15. Picture: Brendan Radke

“We used to go to town and look for him but he got worse and followed these boys that weren’t really his friends and led him into destruction.”

The family wanted to share the message for other young boys not to get involved with crime because of the pain that it could cause their families and communities.

“We don't want any other families going through this especially these things like cars and drugs,” Ms Sands said.

“These boys need something to look forward to, something to keep them busy and something to work towards.”

Makiah’s other grandmother Moira Murgha said they were trying to keep him out of trouble.

“We would take him on outings and keep him out of trouble but it seemed to come to him with this company.”

Markiah Major has not been seen since August 15. Picture: Supplied

Ms Murgha said family was a big part of Markiah’s life and he would always come home.

“We thought he may have gone walkabout for a bit but it’s gone on too long and he would always come back to the family.”

Police and SES volunteers have conducted three separate searches of the bushland in

Yarrabah for Makiah, the most recent a week ago, proved to be unsuccessful.

His family have been printing and displaying posters throughout Cairns, appealing to

members of the public for assistance in locating Markiah.

Markiah is a First Nations boy, around 150cm tall, slim build with shoulder-length black, curly hair.

If you have any information on a missing person, or wish to report a missing person to

police, call Policelink on 131 444, or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Originally published as Family makes appeal for assistance in search for missing 17-year-old son and grandson, Markiah Major