Jay NOTARO
Jay NOTARO
Mar 26, 2025, Luke Costin AAP In Daily QLD
A large-scale search has resumed for a veteran Queensland police officer off the northern NSW coast.
Detective Inspector Jay Notaro’s car and surfboard were found at Broken Head in Byron Bay on Tuesday after the high-profile officer, 45, failed to show up for work.
An extensive water search commenced early afternoon and continued into the night without success.
The search resumed at 7am on Wednesday with police on land and water, a Queensland Police helicopter and surf lifesavers.
It was focused on the areas between Lennox Head and Cape Byron, particularly the Broken Head area, NSW Police said.
Queensland Police said it and the officer’s family were worried for his welfare as his disappearance was considered out of character.
“Anyone with information that may be able to assist with the whereabouts of the member is asked to contact police,” a spokeswoman said.
“There is no further information available at this time.”
Notaro started with Queensland police in Townsville in 2003, rising through the ranks to oversee homicide investigations in the Gold Coast from 2015 onwards.
In 2024, the Queensland Homicide Victims’ Support Group presented its annual compassion in policing award to Notaro for going beyond his duty for a victim’s relative.
“Jay was always there for myself and my family statements, media interviews, phone calls, and texts,” said nominee Sharni Mill, whose partner Greg Dufty was murdered his Brisbane home in 2015.
“He made impossibly difficult tasks a little easier to handle.”
Notaro has also played a major role in the local water police command and Volunteer Marine Rescue noted he had a keen interest in surfing.
A search for prominent Queensland police officer Jay Notaro continues after the detective inspector went missing in the surf off northern New South Wales.
Authorities began looking for the 45-year-old at Broken Head on Tuesday when he failed to show up for work as an Inspector at Ipswich police station and did not answer his phone.
His vehicle was found in a beach car park at about 12:40pm.
A member of the public had found his surfboard about 7:30am on the shore about 500 metres north of where his car was parked.
The board was undamaged and the leg rope was intact.
Ocean conditions in the region have been calm and Inspector Notaro's disappearance puzzles police.
New South Wales Police Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer said it was "extremely out of character" for Inspector Notaro to not report for duty.
"He was a very strong swimmer, a very experienced surfer ... and a very fit man," Detective Inspector Zimmer said.
"He would have been extremely capable of managing those conditions."
Areas between Cape Byron and Lennox Head were scoured yesterday but the search was paused at last light.
The widescale search began again at 7am.
Acting Commissioner of Police Shane Chelepy said the Queensland Police Service (QPS) was supporting the Notaro family and the search.
"The QPS is extremely concerned for the welfare of our member, who is a highly valued colleague and friend to many in the service," Acting Commissioner Chelepy said.
"Our thoughts are with the officer's family and friends during this extremely difficult time and every support is being made available.
"I am grateful for the efforts of New South Wales Police and our own teams involved with the ongoing search."
Anyone with information that may help find Inspector Notaro is asked to contact police.
Local police, NSW Police Rescue, Marine Area Command, Queensland PolAir and Surf Life Saving NSW are all involved in the effort to find the man.
Inspector Notaro has previously held senior roles on the Gold Coast, including at the city's water police and Coomera Police Station.
He was recently transferred to Ipswich.
In 2024, Inspector Notaro was awarded the Damian Leeding Compassion in Policing Award by the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group.
He played a key role in solving the murder of Gold Coast man Greg Dufty, who was killed almost a decade ago.
Former Queensland Police Union (QPU) president Ian Leavers said his "thoughts and prayers" were with Inspector Notaro's family and he was hoping for a positive outcome to the search.
"Whilst I was at the [QPU], Jay was a union official … but also he was a friend who I had a lot of contact with over the years and he's just a really decent, well-respected guy," he said.
"If we had more police like Jay, Queensland would be in a better place.
"He has such a high work ethic, he demands perfection … he's just a decent, hard-working, good copper, and he's the sort of person we should aspire to be like."
Mr Leavers said it was Inspector Notaro's birthday earlier in the week and he was a passionate surfer.
"As we know, if you go out in the surf, there are always risks but there are risks in everything you do in life, so let's just hope for the best," he said.
"Let's just hope that we can find Jay and he's safe and well and I'd love to see him come back to work … I have no doubt that he will end up in a very high leadership position within the Queensland Police Service … and that's what I'm hoping, that he's found safe and well and continues in his career."
The search for a missing Queensland police officer has been suspended four days after the patrol group inspector disappeared near a northern New South Wales beach.
Authorities believe Jay Notaro, 45, visited Broken Head on Tuesday morning.
His car and surfboard were found at the beach by a member of the public.
Concerns were raised on his whereabouts when he failed to show up for work as an inspector at Ipswich police station and did not answer his phone.
A widescale search and rescue operation involving a number of agencies from NSW and Queensland was commenced on Tuesday and continued during daylight hours on Wednesday and Thursday.
Rescuers searched for Inspector Notaro in areas between Cape Byron and Lennox Head.
However a NSW Police spokesperson said the search had been called off at 1pm today.
"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," the spokesperson said.
"Police wish to thank those who volunteered in the search for the missing man and the local community for their support."
Inspector Notaro's uncle Phil Notaro said in a post on social media the family is "devastated" by their loss.
"This hole in our lives will never be filled. We are heartbroken. Such a tragic accident,"he said.
"Conditions this week have been horrendous and we can't thank the NSW and Queensland police enough for a remarkable response.
"But we fully understand that they had to call it.
"The search was intensive. Now we wait for Mother Nature to decide if she will return him to us."
Queensland Police Acting Commissioner Shane Chelepy said his thoughts were with Inspector Notaro's family and expressed his thanks to those 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," Acting Commissioner 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."
Missing police officer Jay Notaro has been farewelled in an emotional service, with the family hearing they may “never know” what happened to him.
The last text sent by missing police officer Jay Notaro was revealed during an emotional memorial service held by the Queensland Police Service on Friday.
The Queensland cop disappeared off the coast of Broken Head Beach in Byron Bay NSW on March 25, 2025 a day after his 45th birthday.
His surfboard, with the leg rope attached, was found at the beach by a member of the public, with his car parked 500 metres away in the carpark.
His body has never been found.
At the service held in Brisbane on Friday, long-time friend Claire Campbell spoke about her last interaction with Mr Notaro.
Ms Campbell said that she had called him to sing “happy birthday” before sending him videos of her two sons playing touch footy.
Mr Notaro was heavily involved in rugby league throughout his whole life, and played for the Queensland Police Service Rugby League side.
“Jay’s last ever text message in response to those clips was just one word: ‘FLYING!!’ she said.
“The next day, we learned that Jay too, was flying sky high, heaven-bound to rest in peace forevermore.
“And just as we said to Jay at the end of that birthday call, the last call that he ever answered today we say Jay, we love you. We miss you.”
QPS Chaplin Jeff Baills, who led the service, said “no one knew” what had happened to Mr Notaro.
“I have heard many scenarios, reasons, hypotheses, explanations, as to why this happened,” Mr Baills said.
“What we do know that happened is where his Apple watch last pinged and where his surfboard was found. Everything else is speculation.
“We may never actually know for certain how this happened.”
Mr Baills said Mr Notaro’s death was “shocking” and “traumatic”.
“We must be very careful, because if we seek to lay blame on what we think happen, we actually rob ourselves and rob Jay of the extraordinary man that he was,” Mr Baills said.
Mr Notaro’s younger sister Hayley also spoke, saying that losing her brother “doesn’t feel real”.
Hayley said that Mr Notaro was great with children, particularly with her five-year-old daughter Eve.
“He was so good with children and it’s just such a shame he didn’t get to be a father, because he would have made a wonderful dad,” Hayley said.
“I think we can all agree that Jay was the best godfather and uncle ever.”
Mr Notaro was a godfather to eight children.
Hayley also said she gave birth to a baby boy two weeks ago, saying how Mr Notaro was “super excited” to meet his nephew.
“I feel heartbroken that my baby boy won’t get to meet his incredible uncle,” she said.
“But I will do my best to keep his name alive and we’ll talk about him often, share stories, show him videos, and tell him how much his Uncle Jay would have loved him.”
As Mr Notaro’s body was never found, mourners were invited to place a flower on one of his surfboards at the end of the service.
The search for his body was called off following a four-day multi-agency co-ordinated search.
A local search was ignited afterwards, however, was unable to bring answers for Mr Notaro’s loved ones.