Peter WILLOUGHBY - TRAGICALLY LOCATED DECEASED
Peter WILLOUGHBY - TRAGICALLY LOCATED DECEASED
A member of a volunteer search group has found what are believed to be human remains during a renewed search for a missing man in the state's north, Tasmania Police says.
The discovery in the Eagle Hawk Tier area in Underwood, north of Launceston, comes during a public search effort for missing Scottsdale man Peter Willoughby, 76, who has not been seen since October last year.
"Forensic testing is yet to be completed, however at this stage we can confirm the remains appear to be an adult human male,"Tasmania Police Inspector Aleena Crack said.
"The volunteer contacted police immediately after the discovery, and officers from the northern district, along with specialist forensic personnel, are attending the scene."
Inspector Crack said Mr Willoughby's family had been told.
"We understand how distressing this development may be for his loved ones, and while everyone involved hopes it will help to provide answers, formal forensic analysis is required before we can determine whether the remains belong to Peter," she said.
"Our thoughts are with Mr Willoughby's family and loved ones. A report will be prepared for the coroner."
One of the search organisers, Alex Smith from Find Our Lost Loved Ones, received a phone call just before 2pm today, telling him to "come back to base camp".
There, he was told that a body had been found.
"We had [Mr Willoughby's] relatives there," Mr Smith said.
"It's this grief and relief mixed together. It was just really good to be there to help."
Mr Smith praised Tasmania Police for their immediate response.
He said the search, which started yesterday and was scheduled to end late tomorrow, was challenging due to the terrain.
"We learned a lot on the first day … that it was twice as hard as expected," he said.
One of the volunteer searchers, Paul Helleman, said the afternoon's discovery was "an emotional thing for everyone".
"It's a bittersweet thing really … the whole case is sad of course," he said.
"But there's also a bit of jubilation I guess because it brings closure to the family."
Mr Helleman said the remains were found during one of the party's grid searches of the area.
He thanked everyone involved in the search effort.
"It was 50 [people] on the ground but there's also the other support community as well," he said.
"Our objective was to find the remains safely and then report it to the police … that's where our role ends really."