NSW Police appeal for information from Toowoomba residents as homicide detectives search for man missing in northern NSW
NSW Police investigating the disappearance of a man in the north of the state have revealed he has links to the Toowoomba region as they suspect foul play was involved.
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Police investigating the mysterious disappearance of a man in northern NSW have revealed he has ties to the Toowoomba region, as they appeal for anyone with information to come forward.
Daniel Copeland was last seen in the Clarence Valley town of Maclean on September 3 and then again at Wooli on September 4 in 2023.
The region is about 450km south of Toowoomba on the NSW north coast.
Initial searches uncovered no sign of the 40-year-old.
The last known movements of Mr Copeland were caught on CCTV where he was a passenger in a 2012 silver Mitsubishi Lancer at Wooli on September 4 with two or more other people.
NSW Police established Strike Force Illfracombe to investigate the disappearance, and on Tuesday detectives launched a two-day search at Wooli, a coastal town about 12km southeast of Grafton, for signs of Mr Copeland’s fate.
Commander Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty, of the State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad confirmed the line of inquiry that Mr Copeland likely met with foul play and did not travel from Maclean, about 45km northeast of Grafton, in a silver Mitsubishi Lancer by himself.
He was described as a “knockabout bloke” who worked as a labourer and previously lived in Toowoomba.
Superintendent Doherty appealed for anyone in Toowoomba “to also come forward with information that could assist” and confirmed that Queensland Police were assisting while the Garden City remained another focus.
Police deemed the disappearance suspect after Mr Copeland did not show up for work and missed a meeting. He has not accessed bank accounts.
In October last year, family appealed for help at a Coffs Harbour police press conference.
“He just disappeared. He didn’t give notice to his work nor his girlfriend or any of his friends or family and this is totally out of character,” father Mark Copeland said.
“This disappearance has just baffled everyone.
“We just need to locate him whether the news is good or bad – we just need to find him.”
Mr Copeland is described as caucasian in appearance, about 165cm tall, with a stocky build, blonde mohawk haircut and full right-arm sleeve tattoo.
He was last seen wearing Cowboys NRL shorts, a green long-sleeve shirt and a black hoodie.
Know more? Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Last known whereabouts
– Daniel Copeland, 40, was spotted on River St, Maclean, some 15km west of Yamba, about 4.30pm on September 3 last year.
– Mr Copeland was also seen on CCTV at a bottle shop on Centenary Drive, Maclean at 2.35pm.
– The next day, he was spotted travelling in the Wooli area in the 2012 Mitsubishi.
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