Family speak of heartbreak after ‘extraordinary dad’ found dead in Whitsundays region

The shattered family of an “extraordinary” dad have spoken out following a tragic discovery four weeks after he went missing in the Whitsundays.

The heartbroken family of a father-of-two found dead in the Whitsundays a month after going missing have spoken out about the “extraordinary man” who was a “loving partner” and “talented artist”.

Following a desperate month-long search for 40-year-old Joel Pringle, a well-known graphic designer, the mother of his youngest son, Eve Houghton made the devastating announcement that he had been found.

Taking to a dedicated Facebook page created to assist with search efforts for Mr Pringle, a heartbroken Ms Houghton said the search had concluded in the most tragic way.

Joel Pringle and his partner, Eve Houghton.

Mr Pringle was found dead four weeks after going missing.

“It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Joel was found late yesterday [Tuesday] evening. Unfortunately he has passed,” Ms Houghton’s post on the Find Joel Pringle Facebook page read.

“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has come together in the search for Joel – family, friends, and the many people who travelled from far and wide to help.”

Ms Houghton’s mum, Natalie Stockdale, described Mr Pringle — who was due to turn 40 just days after going missing — as an “extraordinary man” whose “greatest loves” were his young family.

Joel Pringle and his partner Eve moved from Melbourne to the Whitsundays.

Mr Pringle was a talented graphic designer and had a substantial social media following.

In an interview with news.com.au, Ms Stockdale said Mr Pringle was “funny, clever and had a great sense of humour.”

“He considered Eve as his soulmate. Eve and his two sons were his greatest loves.” Ms Stockdale recalled through tears.

Ms Stockdale said Mr Pringle was “incredibly talented with his art and drawings,” and that his death was “a devastating time, especially for Eve and their boys.”

“He was determined to create a life of fun, love and adventure for him and his family,” she explained.

“He loved living on their yacht in the Whitsundays before they bought their first house. He loved jetskiing and mountain biking around the Whitsundays.

“They loved the freedom.”

Speaking through tears and on behalf of Ms Houghton, Ms Stockdale said her 28-year-old daughter had endured a “gruelling” four-week search for Mr Pringle, that ended in “profound and overwhelming sadness”.

“The month-long search for Joel was incredibly gruelling for Eve,” Ms Stockdale said.

“She never gave up, tirelessly searching until the very last day. Along the way, we encountered signs that gave us hope he was still alive, but sadly, they turned out to be false, which made our emotions swing between hope and despair.

“Now that Joel has been found, we thought we’d feel some relief, but instead, it’s a profound and overwhelming sadness.”

Joel Pringle and his partner Eve on board their yacht in the Whitsundays.

“Eve is deeply distressed, as you can imagine, but she’s also strong and resilient, with wisdom far beyond her 28 years.

“She and their little son are surrounded by a strong support system of family and friends. Eve is deeply grateful for the incredible effort the local community made to find Joel, and for the love that continues to surround her and her family.”

Joel Pringle, left, was found dead in the Whitsundays after a four-week search.

Ms Houghton, who gave birth to their son in April last year, moved with Mr Pringle from Melbourne to the Whitsundays region in 2019 after they “sold everything” and lived aboard a yacht.

Mr Pringle often posted about his travels and lifestyle to his 45k followers on Instagram.

“We spend time island hopping, working and enjoying tropical island,” he wrote alongside a social media post of their pair on the yacht.

“It definitely wasn’t easy to live on a boat, but one of the best things we have done.”

Joel Pringle welcomed a son in April 2023.

The doting dad has been described as ‘incredibly talented’.

Mr Pringle and Ms Houghton welcomed a baby boy in April last year, with the doting dad posting pictures and videos of his son.

“Monty we are so in love with you little guy! Best thing about the studio is your visits,” he wrote alongside one video holding his newborn.

Mr Pringle’s death is being treated as non-suspicious and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

“The body of a 40-year-old man reported missing from Cannonvale has been located,” the statement sent to news.com.au read.

“The media and the public are thanked for their assistance.”