THE investigation into the disappearance of Daymon Ness at Nitmiluk National Park has been handed to the Criminal Investigation Branch, who will try to piece together the 30-year-old’s movements.
Superintendent Daniel Shean told the NT News the search and rescue was stopped on Monday after all avenues had been exhausted, with management of the case now handed over to the Criminal Investigation Branch.
“They will make inquires and map out his last activities and actions leading up the time that he went missing,” Superintendent Shean said.
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He stressed it was “not a criminal investigation” but handed to the CIB as they were best placed to carry on the investigation.
“There’s a number of avenues that we’ve got to investigate to satisfy that his disappearance has resulted in death,” he said.
Mr Ness’s personal possessions and hire car, a silver Ford Falcon station wagon with WA number plates, remain in the hands of detectives who are analysing the items.
“All of that stuff will be looked at to determine if there’s anything else that will lead us to another avenue of inquiry,” Superintendent Shean said.
He said the search and rescue operation was extensive, with teams searching all the tracks in the southern walks. It is believed Mr Ness walked the Baruwei Loop, which is closed at the moment for upgrades.
NT Emergency Service volunteer Brett Martin was among those who dedicated their time to help with the search.
Mr Martin said conditions were tough, with the heat from the sun and the rock and the danger of crevices making the walk difficult.
“The difficulty we had up top the other day was the heat was getting into the rocks and the retention is just quite incredible. There’s very rough deep (crevices), you need to beware of snakes,” Mr Martin said.
“There are boulders 20-30 metres high and rock crevices everywhere. It’s difficult terrain.”
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While making their way down to the shade, they also came across a man who had scooted around the construction fence in an effort to do the walk.
He said people needed to be aware of the dangers of walking in the heat.
Superintendent Shean said people should be appropriately dressed, carry plenty of water and consider taking an EPIRB.
He thanked police, NT Parks and Wildlife rangers and NT Emergency Service volunteers for their efforts in working in tough terrain and hot conditions.
“The conditions out there were quite hot. Not only were you competing with the heat from the sun but also the heat from the rocks, and also the terrain which makes it quite dangerous for line searching,” he said.
Mr Ness’s parents are quarantining at Howard Springs and will head to Katherine as soon as they can leave the facility.
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