Andrew DUMBRELL
Andrew DUMBRELL
Andrew Dumbrell, aged 35, left Calvary Mater Hospital in Waratah NSW at approximately 9:10 am on 14 January 2025.
Andrew is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160 - 165cm tall, slim build, brown/grey hair and brown eyes. Andrew has a large scar on his inner right wrist, scars on the top of his skull, and a scar on his right thigh. Andrew has tattoos on his right upper arm, with a symbol of an anchor and the word “youngin”, left upper arm with two love hearts with the words mum and dad inside, right forearm – word “IRIS” and left lower leg – religious cross.
Andrew was last sighted at approximately 4:34 pm at the corner of Macquarie and Hillsborough Road, Warners Bay.
Anyone with information which may assist in locating the whereabouts of Andrew are urged to anonymously contact Crime Stoppers on their website or free call 1800 333 000.
The mother of a mentally ill man who disappeared after he was discharged from hospital more than a year ago is speaking publicly for the first time about her fears he was murdered.
Andrew Dumbrell, 34, from Windale, has been missing since he was discharged from Newcastle's Calvary Mater Hospital on January 14, 2025.
His mother, Angela Jackson, has criticised how the hospital had handled his case, saying it did not follow protocols, a claim the hospital denies.
The ABC approached Ms Jackson for an interview to mark the first anniversary of her son's disappearance.
Ms Jackson disclosed a death threat her son received at about the time he went missing, in the hope it would lead to a breakthrough in her son's case.
"I really believe something has happened to him. I don't believe he's taken off somewhere; I think he's been met with foul play with somebody," she said.
"We don't want to think the worst … but it's been a year, and we have heard nothing.
"He hasn't touched his bank money, nothing … and that's not Andrew."
Ms Jackson said that on the day her son vanished, she found a video recording on his phone of a person known to him, allegedly making a death threat.
The ABC has watched the video.
It appears to show a man standing over Andrew Dumbrell, who appeared to be cowering on the ground in a dazed state.
The man standing over him can be heard telling him: "If you come back, I am going to kill you."
Ms Jackson said the man being threatened was her son and that she told police at the time and passed on the recording.
She did not speak out publicly in the media due to fears her family could be targeted.
However, she is now coming forward due to a lack of progress in his case.
The ABC asked the officer in charge of the investigation about the alleged threat.
In response, police provided a statement saying that Mr Dumbrell's movements and interactions were under review.
"Avenues of inquiry, including his movements before being reported missing, have been and continue to be thoroughly examined by investigators," the statement said.
"The matter remains an active investigation managed by Lake Macquarie detectives.
"At this time, it has not been referred to the Homicide Squad."
Ms Jackson fears he may have been killed.
"Today they keep saying we don't suspect foul play, and I keep saying, 'Well, where is he?'" Ms Jackson said.
The day before he disappeared, Mr Dumbrell, who lives with epilepsy and schizophrenia, was taken by ambulance to the Calvary Mater Hospital in the Newcastle suburb of Waratah.
He was barefoot, without a wallet, phone or shoes when he was filmed on CCTV leaving Newcastle's Calvary Mater Hospital.
Ms Jackson said, knowing her son was unwell and had a history of mental illness, she asked hospital staff to delay his discharge until she could pick him up.
Despite that, he was cleared to go, with his exit caught on CCTV as he walked from the hospital grounds.