Family claims police have ‘forgotten’ them in six-month search for missing Adelaide man Jaymaine Heron

Feeling forgotten and desperate, the family of a missing man who vanished six months ago say they’ve been left to search alone — and now fear they’ll never see him again.

Cynthia Rigney holding a picture of 27-year-old missing man Jaymaine Heron, with April Heron (right), Teresa Heron (back), and Kaitlan Heron (left). Picture: Russell Millard

A South Australian family say they have been left to search alone for a loved one, six “agonising” months after the 27-year-old man vanished without a trace.

Jaymaine Heron was last seen at his mother’s house in Murray Bridge at lunchtime on Christmas Day.

Weeks later, police told the family he may have been spotted on CCTV walking down Currie St, in the Adelaide CBD, in mid-January – but they are still waiting to view the footage to confirm it was him.

His mother, Theresa Heron, believes he may have fled after an incident two days before Christmas.

“We believe he ran at first because he was scared – but now that he hasn’t made contact in so long, we fear the worst,” she said.

Ms Heron said her son suffers from an array of medical and mental health issues, including bipolar disorder, anxiety and PTSD, and had been off his medication for months.

“He doesn’t own a phone, struggles with technology and has no known contacts interstate. He can barely catch a bus on his own,” Ms Heron said.

“He would have reached out by now, even just to ask for money. That’s why we’re so scared.

“But it just doesn’t seem like the police are taking our concerns seriously.”

It’s understood that Mr Heron is currently on bail, pending a serious criminal charge.

Sister Kaitlan Heron said that as the months ticked by, the wait for answers had become unbearable – and after that sighting in the city, it felt like police gave up.

“I got this ominous message from a stranger about a week ago asking me when his funeral is,” she said.

Jaymaine Heron, 27, was last seen by family at his mother’s house in Murray Bridge on Christmas Day, 2024. Picture: Supplied

Six months later, his family are still desperately searching for him. Picture: Supplied

“I have no idea who that was or what they know. We’re just so worried and want answers.”

The Indigenous family asked police to co-ordinate with Queensland authorities after receiving a tip that he may have gone there.

“We’ve asked police to check his bank to see if there’s been any activity, but they said a lawyer needs to do it,” Kaitlan said.

“Then the lawyer says something different. We feel forgotten.”

She claims police communication had completely stopped in recent months, leaving the family to continue the search on their own.

A SAPOL spokesperson said: “Due to privacy principles, we are unable to report on an individual’s dealings with police.”

The family are now relying on social media and the Indigenous Missing Persons Support Services in the efforts to find Mr Heron.

Network member Scott Godfrey said too many Indigenous families faced the same fight for attention in SA.

Anyone with information about Jaymaine Heron is urged to contact police and quote: 2500 044 901.

Originally published as Family claims police have ‘forgotten’ them in six-month search for missing Adelaide man Jaymaine Heron