Missing person: Search for Lysterfield South man, Sam Thomson
Mum’s heartfelt plea for missing son to phone home as emergency services and his worried father continue the search in the state’s north.
South East
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The mum of missing Lysterfield South man Sam Thomson is pleading with him to get in touch with his family and friends, saying they love and miss him.
Sam has been missing since last Thursday, after he left his home to go camping in the Swan Hill area.
Senior Constable Imogen Brill told a press conference at Narre Warren police station on Wednesday Sam had left his car about 20km outside of Swan Hill, and is believed to be on foot travelling west, and may be headed for Mildura.
She said he was last seen by a couple in the Swan Hill area who picked him up hitchhiking on the 11th — he spend the night at their home, pitching a tent in their backyard.
They then took him to Nyah, about 20km south west of the Swan Hill.
Police are now checking local campsites and checking with residents to see if they have seen Sam
His dad David has also joined the search.
Sam has a blue and green pioneer hiking backpack and blue and red tent and blue sleeping bag with him.
He has no food, money or mobile phone.
“We’re concerned he is in a remote location and that he is not able to contact anyone and that he doesn’t have enough possessions to be able last a long time in the bush on his own,” she said.
Senior Constable Brill said Sam had left a note in the book Into The Wild in his home, about an ill-fated young man who goes adventuring into the bush on his own and goes off grid.
“He’s potentially taking inspiration from the narrative in that book,” she said.
But she said Sam was not necessarily seeking the same outcome that adventurer faced.
“We are aware of the ending of that book and it does play into our concerns, but that’s not necessarily the reason that we’re searching for him,” she said.
Mum Elizabeth Thomson said she was holding onto the hope her son was having a great time exploring the world off the grid and was OK.
“But we just want to hear from him,” she said.
The last time she spoke to him was last Wednesday night and he was in “fine form”, after returning from a trivia night with friends.
She heard him in his room the next morning about 7.30 but didn’t interrupt him as he had told her he was going camping that day.
But her husband and Sam’s friends became concerned on Friday when they hadn’t heard from him and her husband contacted police.
He hasn’t answered any messages from friends and family and it’s not clear where his phone is.
Mrs Thomson said the note left inside the book was cryptic.
She said it mentioned he was going walkabout and that he would be back.
“But of course because it was inside the book and he was taken by the story of that book when he bought it and read it a year ago that’s caused us great concern,” she said.
“And of course because he is not contactable and we don’t know what is going through his head.”
“We don’t necessarily think (he is going to follow the book’s outcome) but we don’t know.”
She said her husband had spent some time with the “lovely couple” that allowed Sam to camp in their backyard and happily Sam gave them honest information about who is was – he even signed their visitor’s book and he seemed to be of sound mind.
Mrs Thomson said family and friends had gone through a rollercoaster of emotions since last Friday.
“We just want him safe,” she said.
“Happy to support him on his travels but we really want to know he is safe and making good decisions that will keep him safe in the future
“We really want to hear from him – give us a call or a text Sam because we all love him and miss him.
“I’m hoping and I’m holding onto the idea that he’s having a lovely time exploring the world, off the grid away from his friends and family, off social media, and working out where he fits in the world.”
Into the Wild is centred on a young man named Christopher McCandless.
The book was later made into a Hollywood movie featuring Emile Hirsch.
After leaving university, McCandless drifted into hiking and living largely off the grid, moving often.
Having travelled to Alaska, McCandless hiked into the rugged wilderness and lived for a time in an abandoned bus. He left a diary which indicated he struggled to survive in the conditions and may have accidentally eaten poisoned berries.
His decomposing body was by a group of hunters, about two weeks after he died.
Sam has no phone, no identification and no access to money, and has left no clues as to his planned destination.
Sam is described as caucasian, about 185cm, weighing 90kg with an athletic build, and has been missing since last Thursday.
Anyone with information is urged to phone Victoria Police on 9705 3111.