Ten years later, still missing: Police push to find missing Dandenong man Jake Lyons
In 2014, young Dandenong man Jake Lyons vanished without a trace. Now, after ten years of investigating, police are backing a fresh push for answers.
Police & Courts
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The mysterious disappearance of a young Dandenong man a decade ago is the subject of a fresh police push for answers.
Jake Lyons was 20 when he vanished after last being seen alive at his Scullin St home on August 25, 2014.
His father Rick saw Jake was at their home when he left for work in the city early that morning but, from that point, little is known.
That afternoon, a mate visited Scullin St to collect Jake so they could go looking for rental properties.
He found the front door open but it seemed no one was at home and he left.
Mr Lyons returned from work at about 7pm to find his silver 2006 Holden Astra was missing and there was no sign of Jake.
He tried during the evening to contact his son, believing he had gone out and was using the car as he had previously
Jake was reported missing three days later but police who made their own inquiries could not find him.
On August 31, the Astra was found near soccer clubrooms at Warner Reserve in Springvale but, despite a major search of the area, no sign of Jake was found.
Investigators have been unable to confirm whether Jake drove himself to the reserve.
In the 10 years since, he has not been sighted and neither his phone or bank accounts used.
Family have described his disappearance as “extremely out of character”.
Police say that a decade of investigating by detectives from the missing persons squad has been unable to definitively determine whether the disappearance of Jake is suspicious.
Detective acting Insp. Anthony Combridge said police were still battling to resolve what had happened.
Insp. Combridge said all avenues of inquiry had been exhausted but even the smallest new details could help find answers for the family.
“We’re hopeful that with the passage of time, someone is able to now come forward and provide information about what happened to Jake – this could be observations from the time or information they have heard over the last decade,” Insp. Combridge said.
“The anniversary of Jake’s disappearance gives us an opportunity to remind people that we are still investigating and we are still fighting for answers for Jake’s family, no matter how hard those answers might be.
“If you do know anything, then I urge you to come forward and speak to police or Crime Stoppers.”
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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