Ian David Nichols: Tasmania Police renew call for information on missing man

It’s been 35 years since the disappearance of Ian David Nichols, and in that time Police haven’t given up hope to find out what happened to him. Now they’ve renewed the call for information

Ian Nichols went missing in 1989. Picture: Chris Kidd

It’s been 35 years since the disappearance of Ian David Nichols, and police have once again put the call out for information to find out what really happened to the missing man.

Mr Nichols, who was 51 at the time he vanished, was last seen at Lake Sorell.

After a coronial investigation in 2012, it was presumed Mr Nichols was dead.

“At the time of his disappearance, Ian and a group of associates had gone to Lake Sorell to work on the construction of a retreat at Dago Point, on 14 September 1989,” detective senior sergeant Nick Bowden said.

Missing person Ian Nichols. Image taken in April 1989 at a friends wedding, about 5 months before he disappeared.

“Ian had remained at the retreat site after his associates returned to Hobart, and he was later reported missing by his family.”

Police have not ruled out foul play.

“We don’t have clear answers in regard to Ian’s disappearance and the circumstances of what occurred – it could have been misadventure; it could have been as a result of foul play or suspicious circumstances – our investigation remains open to all situations and scenarios,” sergeant Bowden said.

Missing person Ian Nichols

The investigation into Mr Nichols disappearance was revisited back in November 2022, when the Australian Federal Police deployed forensic search and imagery specialists to Tasmania, using ground-penetrating radar to search for Mr Nichols under a tank.

Meanwhile Youtuber and retired policeman, Daniel Pritchard, also known as ‘diver dan’, also took on the case last month.

“Understandably, Ian’s disappearance was traumatic for his family and loved ones. Families always deserve answers to what happened to their loved ones, and we owe it to them to find those answers,” sergeant Bowden said.

“Ian will remain listed as a missing person, the investigation will remain open, and we will investigate any new information received, until we find answers as to what happened to him.”

“With the significant passage of time that has passed since Ian went missing, we hope that now is the time someone will come forward and provide information that helps us to determine what happened to him and provide closure for his loved ones.”

• Information can anonymously be provided to Tasmania Police on 131 444 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.