Unknown is ‘soul destroying’: Fresh appeal in young Victorian man’s disappearance
Jake Lyons went missing in August 2014, leaving no trace except for his abandoned car. A decade on from his disappearance, police are hoping people will come forward with new information or sightings of the Victorian man to help give Jake’s family answers.
Police have launched a fresh appeal for answers in the mysterious disappearance of Jake Lyons as his family mark 10 years since the then 20-year-old went missing.
Jake was last seen alive at his Dandenong home on Scullin Street on the morning of August 25 2014 and since he vanished there have been no confirmed sightings of him.
On the morning of the disappearance, his father Rick said he saw his son at home before he left for his work in the city.
However that afternoon when a friend went to the house to pick Jake up to inspect rental properties, the front door was found wide open and no one was home.
Rick returned from work at about 7pm to find no sign of Jake or his silver 2006 Holden Astra station wagon.
Jake was reported missing on August 28 after multiple attempts from his father to reach him.
While police were unable to locate Jake, on August 31 his car was located at Warner Reserve in Springvale.
Despite an extensive search of the area, no trace of Jake was found. His bank accounts has not been accessed and his phone was found torn apart at the family home.
The Missing Persons Squad have been conducting a significant investigation over the past decade but have never been able to definitely establish if the disappearance is suspicious.
Detective Acting Inspector Tony Combridge said that while it is “less likely” Jake is alive, he believes there are people out in the community that have information that could assist with investigations.
“There is a number of gaps in Jake’s movement on the day that he went missing … that’s what we’re looking to try and fill in,” Detective Combridge said.
“Obviously, with the passage of time, people’s memories fade, evidence dissipates, but also relationships and allegiances change. So people are more open or might be in a different position to be able to provide that information.
“As far as how difficult the cases are, these are possibly the most difficult cases that police work on.”
The Missing Persons Squad detective said Jake’s father told police that his son was depressed.
“There was an indication that he may have used his card at a nearby supermarket to make a purchase on the day that he disappeared. Other than that, no, there have been no confirmed sightings Jake,” he said.
Kim Brassington, Jake’s cousin, described her loved one as a “beautiful young man” who had dreams to join the army.
“He’s a human being, and he deserves for us to find him somehow,” Ms Brassington said.
“It’s 10 years of stress, worry, anxiety, it’s a nightmare.
“The unknown is soul destroying … I’m not sure if he’s still with us but until we know, you do hold on to that little bit of hope.”
She appeared distraught as she shared the last time she saw Jake was on her birthday.
“I hugged him goodbye and it was like he didn’t want to get out of the car. He was a bit anxious and uptight but that’s just how he was feeling at the time. He was a little bit depressed.”
People with information regarding Jake’s disappearance are being urged by police to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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