Daymon Ness’s parents wait out quarantine before heading to Katherine

THE parents of Daymon Ness, the man who went missing in the NT last week, are in an unimaginable position of grieving for their son while in quarantine

Daymon Ness, 30, went missing at Nitmiluk Gorge on Tuesday October 20. Picture: Ness Family

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The parents of Daymon Ness, the man who went missing at Nitmiluk National Park last week, are in an unimaginable position of grieving for Daymon while in quarantine.

William and Elise Ness are remaining strong despite everything being stacked against their missing son.

He went for a walk on Tuesday October 20 sometime after 1pm and hasn’t been seen since.

They hold a glimmer of hope that Daymon may be found alive but realise the likelihood is slim.

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“I feel that the odds are stacked up against him. We could be wrong,” Ms Ness said.

“Maybe we will find him, I really doubt it.”

The couple will be able to leave their accommodation at Howard Springs next Friday, at which point they will head to Katherine.

“We’ve got to cling to a small hope that he’s still with us but that hope can’t block the reality of the situation and the guidance and thoroughness that Superintendent Daniel Shean and his crew have undertaken in their search,” Mr Ness said.

Daymon Ness with his mother Elise Ness. Picture: Ness Family

“We have a glimmer of hope but the reality is that it’s extremely unlikely that he’s survived.”

During the search which was suspended on Monday they were receiving daily updates from Supt Daniel Shean.

The Ness’s are grateful for the effort undertaken by everyone involved in the search for Daymon.

“We had such a huge team working so hard. We are so amazed with what they went through (to search for Daymon),” Ms Ness said.

Daymon Ness with his father William Ness. Picture: Ness Family

Daymon’s parents said he was a much loved person who made friends with everyone, wherever he went.

“His nature was just that people did like him and were drawn to him,” Ms Ness said.

They made their way up to Darwin last Friday when the alarm was raised by friends after he missed a video chat with them on Tuesday October 20.

A land and aerial search was undertaken over five days however Daymon has not been found.

Police alongside the Ness’s made the difficult decision to suspend the search on Monday.

“We just thought it was time to call it,” Mr Ness said.

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Stuck in quarantine the couple has spent their time processing the situation by being mindful, meditating and talking with the chaplain at Howard Springs.

They are happy to wait out the two weeks in quarantine before heading down to Katherine.

“The need to keep the community safe needs to take greater precedence over our desire to get to Katherine,” Mr Ness said.

The family also urged those heading out for walks to check in with the visitor centres at national parks to register for a walk or to let people know where you are going.

Follow @JudithAisthorpe