By Casey Neill
Greater Dandenong could hold clues for four families searching for answers about missing loved ones.
Victoria Police and the Australian Federal Police marked the 29th annual National Missing Persons Week from 30 July to 5 August with appeals for information.
Jake Lyons was last seen at his Dandenong North home on Sunday 25 August, 2014.
He’d now be 23 years old. He has not made any contact with his family or accessed his bank account since his disappearance.
He was last seen wearing a blue hooded jumper, green jeans and black runners.
Jake might have been driving a 2006 silver Holden Astra with registration ULC 965, which police recovered in Warner Reserve, Springvale, on 31 August, 2014.
He was described as about 178cm tall with a medium build, brown hair, a fair complexion and brown eyes.
Shiva Chauhan has not been heard from since a text message sent at 11.30pm on Thursday 1 May, 2014.
On Friday 2 May he had not completed his delivery run and did not attend an arranged meeting.
His delivery van was found on Hutton Road, Keysborough, and Shiva’s wallet and identification were still inside.
He’d now be 30 years old and was described as about 177cm tall with a dark complexion, slim build and dark-coloured straight hair.
Mahalingam Sinnathamby was last seen in Noble Park on Thursday 25 August, in 2005.
He’d now be 79 years old.
He lived by himself in Noble Park and kept irregular contact with family.
Police attended his home and conducted a welfare check on 24 November but were unable to locate him.
Mahalingam was described as 175cm tall with a slim build and grey hair.
Richard Hadwick told his mother he was heading to Fosters Disco in Dandenong when he was last seen, in Belgrave South on Saturday 19 May, in 1990.
He was 21 and had arrived home in a taxi about 12.30am to change his clothes. The cab waited in the driveway for him.
Richard had little money with him and no extra clothes or belongings.
He was bailed to attend Dandenong Magistrates’ Court on burglary charges on 24 May 1990 and reports indicated he was afraid he could be sent to prison.
He’d now be 48 years old and was described as 182cm tall with a thin build, blonde hair and blue eyes.
Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana said that despite the time that has passed since some of the disappearances, members of the public were always encouraged to come forward with information.
“We hope that by highlighting cases through campaigns like National Missing Persons Week we can jog the memories of people who may have vital information, offering closure to families,” he said.
“While the majority of missing people are found within a short period, some are not.
“If you can help, please contact police. It’s never too late.”
Call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
