Unanswered questions: Mystery surround Daniel O’Keeffe’s death

THE shock discovery of human remains under Daniel O’Keeffe’s family home has raised even more questions.

Press conference for missing man Daniel O'Keeffe.

ONE of Australia’s highest profile missing persons cases has quickly become one of our most perplexing mysteries.

After a relentless years-long campaign to keep Daniel O’Keeffe’s disappearance alive in people’ minds, the Victorian man’s father was distraught to find what the family believe is remains under the family’s Geelong home.

Police are yet to confirm the remains, discovered around 1.50pm yesterday, are those of the 24-year-old martial arts expert.

Following his shock disappearance in July 2011, Dan became the centre of a powerful campaign, driven by his sister Loren: Dan Come Home.

Aside from a few dubiously confirmed sightings interstate, the discovery of human remains under the family’s Highton house is the first major breakthrough the family has had in the five years he’s been missing, but it’s hardly brought relief.

As well as bringing great distress and shock to his distraught family, the discovery has brought up yet more unanswered questions.

IS IT REALLY DAN?

Police told news.com.au crews had been called to the Highton home, shortly before Daniel’s family members took to Facebook to break the news.

They confirmed human remains had been discovered and that further investigations would be carried out, but wouldn’t say much more.

It’s understandable in the circumstances.

Dan disappeared in July 2011.

It is understood Dan had been carrying no identification or wallet, and there were no immediately identifying objects found with the body.

Detective Sergeant Adam Forehan said at the scene the discovery was highly sensitive.

“We’re treating (the discovery of the remains) at the highest level at this stage until we satisfy ourselves that there is no suspicious activity,” he said.

“Obviously the family are extremely distraught given the nature of the circumstances.”

But the family is convinced.

“It is with heavy hearts that the family and friends of Dan O’Keeffe update this page to share that Dan’s remains were discovered earlier today,” a post on a Facebook page established to help find Dan read.

Although the family said they were convinced it was Dan, it did not elaborate on further details of discovery, nor did police.

A DNA test is expected to confirm the identity in coming days.

HOW DID HE GET THERE?

Mystery remains around how human remains went undiscovered at the Geelong home, and how long they had been there.

It’s been almost five years since Dan went missing, and a post mortem of the remains is expected to shed light on how long the young man’s bones had been lying be near the house.

The last place Dan was seen by family was at the house. He walked out wearing a hoodie, jeans and ugg boots and carrying only his phone.

Dan’s father Des O'Keeffe, pictured with wife and Dan’s mum Lori, is understood to have made the discovery.

Dan did not have his wallet or ID on him when he went missing, and his bank accounts haven’t been touched since.

He suffered depression and anxiety before he vanished, family members said, and it was speculated he may have left the family so not to burden them with his illness.

Since then, there have been reported sighting in Queensland and the Northern Territory that those close to Dan took very seriously.

Police said yesterday a family member, understood to be Dan’s father, Des, discovered the remains but would not elaborate on the circumstances.

Sgt Forehan confirmed the property had been the subject of police examination early in the investigation.

Questioned over the likelihood of the bones being placed under the house at a later stage, he said he was “not in a position to come to any conclusion at this stage”.

Dan’s disappearance has been among the highest missing person’s cases thanks to his family’s persistence.

WHAT ABOUT THE SIGHTINGS?

In December 2011, after not having seen her brother in around five months, Loren O’Keeffe teared up at the sight of CCTV footage from a Queensland medical centre.

A thin man, who “looked like he’d literally walked from Geelong to Queensland”, had approached a receptionist asking for a glass of water.

One of Loren’s many television appearances, pleading for help from the public to find her brother, had triggered the receptionist’s memory.

She said the man had told her his name was “James” — Dan’s middle name — and she was sure it was him. CCTV backed up her claim.

The family’s desperate search for Dan, and a number of tips, saw them search as far as Western Australian and the Northern Territory for their son.

Though the family received great support and hopeful reports of possible sightings of their boy, the medical centre sighting was the only one they considered “confirmed”.

Police have never confirmed this.

Dan’s sister Loren gave up her career to search for Dan, and has never given up hope.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The search for Dan has been going on for more than five years, but even after this discovery there’s a long way to go.

Police have DNA tests and a post mortem to complete before even beginning to investigate the circumstance that led to his body being there.

While detectives continue their investigations and attempt to get to the bottom of these unanswered questions, the O’Keeffe family has acknowledged the personal process they have to get through and asked that their supporters keep the family in their thoughts.

“Our focus has always been twofold; to raise awareness about the vulnerabilities of missing people in Australia and to ask that you harness people power to help the families left behind,” their Facebook message read.

“We have united a community, which is a beautiful thing. None of this has been in vain, and that’s all thanks to you.”

If you need help contact Lifeline (131 114), Mensline Australia (1300 789 978), Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636).