Missing cop a member of Hemsworth’s surfing inner circle

A massive search for missing Queensland cop Jay Notaro near Byron Bay has been suspended with no trace of the respected and popular officer.

The family of missing Queensland cop Jay Notaro say they’re “devastated” and “heartbroken” after a four-day search for the highly-respected officer near Byron Bay was suspended - and are now waiting to see “if Mother Nature will return him to us”.

A massive air, sea and land search for Inspector Notaro was launched on Tuesday after his surfboard was found on Broken Head beach and he failed to report for duty at Ipswich police station.

Insp Notaro had been staying and surfing in Byron in the lead-up to his 45th birthday last Monday.

He was a surfing buddy of Hollywood star and Broken Head resident Chris Hemsworth, who is believed to have helped in the search after returning from a family snowboarding holiday to Japan on Tuesday on the morning Insp Notaro disappeared.

The search was suspended at 1pm on Friday, with no trace of the missing officer.

“While the multi-agency coordinated search has been suspended, taskings by local police and Marine Area Command will continue in the area over coming days,” a NSW police spokesman said.

“Police wish to thank those who volunteered in the search for the missing man and the local community for their support.”

Detective Inspector Jay Notaro with Premier David Crisafulli in December.

His uncle, former veteran cop and police union official Phil Notaro, took to social media to express the family’s grief after the search was called off.

“The family is of course naturally devastated,” he wrote.

“This hole in our lives will never be filled. We are heartbroken. Such a tragic accident.

“Conditions this week have been horrendous and we can’t thank the NSW and Qld police for a remarkable response. Plus all the friends and colleagues that attended to help in any way they could. And the onslaught of messages. It’s been truly humbling and heartwarming.

“But we fully understand that they (authorities) had to call it (the search off). The search was intensive. Now we wait for Mother Nature to decide if she will return him to us.

“Thanks again to everyone for their support.”

Police mental health organisation Blue Hope also posted a heartfelt tribute to Insp Notaro.

Queensland cop Jay Notaro went missing near Byron Bay.

“Today advice was received that the search operation in northern New South Wales for our treasured friend and colleague Jay Notaro has been suspended,” the group said.

“We, along with all who knew him. desperately cling to the hope that at some point in the very near future, he will be located safe and well.

“If he were here today though I would tell him that he is so incredibly loved and respected.

“ I would tell him that he is one of the very rarest of humans in that with no effort at all he was continually able to make an individual feel like the most important person in the world.

“I would tell him that the security and confidence his mere presence manifested in others was immeasurable, something I never tired of watching. I would tell him that I missed his laugh, his steadfast support and his grace under pressure.

Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky on their recent Japanese holiday. Picture: Instagram

“I would tell him of the immense pleasure I have taken in watching him mature into the remarkable friend, brother, son, uncle and man he is.

“I would tell him that in any day and age he is one of those rarefied proper textbook good guys, one that bad guys among us so rightly feared. I would tell him that he is the kindest of gentlemen and one we all happily aspire to emulate.

“But most importantly I would hug my friend long and hard and tell him I missed him.

“Wherever you are brother, there will always be a cold beer, plenty of laughs and much love waiting for you.”

Police Minister Dan Purdie said he was deeply saddened by the disappearance of Insp Notaro who he said was a friend and former colleague.

“Jay was a dedicated officer who lived and breathed the values of our police,” he said in an Instagram post.

“Coming from a police family himself, I’m certain his loved ones will be surrounded by those in blue as they cope with this sadness.

“My deepest thoughts and sympathies for the Notaro family and the wider police family.”

The search for Inspector Jay Notaro has continued at Broken Head this week.

An experienced surfer Insp Notaro served in roles including officer in charge of the Gold Coast water police and Coomera police stations.

He was serving as an acting superintendent last month when he was appointed by the Crisafulli government as deputy director of the state’s flood disaster recovery response.

Insp Notaro was last year presented with a compassion in policing award by the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group for his work in helping solve the bikie-related murder of Gold Coast man Greg Dufty.

Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer at a press conference near Byron Bay. Picture: NewsWire/ Natalie Grono

Acting Police Commissioner Shane Chelepy said his thoughts were with Insp Notaro’s loved ones and thanked people who helped in the search.

“This is an incredibly difficult time for our organisation, and our thoughts are with Jay’s family, friends and colleagues as we continue to navigate this tragic situation,” Mr Chelepy said.

“I want to sincerely thank our NSW Police counterparts, and everyone involved in the search for their tireless commitment and professionalism under highly challenging and emotional circumstances.

“I know this situation has impacted many across the QPS and the community.”

The sarch for Inspector Notaro has been suspended. Picture: NewsWire/ Natalie Grono

Originally published as Missing cop a member of Hemsworth’s surfing inner circle