Victoria Police is appealing for information on the 10th anniversary of a missing Dandenong man’s disappearance.
Jake Lyons was 20 years old when last seen at his home on Scullin Street about 9am on 25 August, 2014.
He lived at the house with his father Rick, who told police that Jake was at home when Rick left for work in the city early that morning.
“Jake’s disappearance remains a mystery to investigators and his family, even 10 years on from when he was last seen,” Detective Acting Inspector Anthony Combridge from the Missing Persons Squad said.
“The anniversary of Jake’s disappearance gives us an opportunity to remind people that we are still investigating and we are still fighting for answers for Jake’s family, no matter how hard those answers might be.”
On the afternoon of 25 August, a friend of Jake’s came around to the house to collect him as they planned to go looking at rental properties.
The friend found the front door open and no one appeared to be home.
When Jake’s dad returned from work about 7pm that night, he found his silver 2006 Holden Astra station wagon missing and Jake wasn’t at home.
Rick made several attempts that night to contact Jake, believing that he was simply out and using the car as he did on several previous occasions.
Jake’s dad made several further attempts to contact his son over the next couple of days, before reporting him missing to police on 28 August.
On 31 August, the Holden Astra was located at Warner Reserve in Springvale near the soccer club rooms.
An extensive search of the area was subsequently undertaken, however no further trace of Jake was located.
Police were also unable to establish if Jake had driven himself to the reserve.
Several public appeals were conducted back in 2014 when Jake first went missing, but police have never been able to definitively establish if his disappearance is suspicious.
“Sadly, there have been no sightings of Jake during the last decade and we know he hasn’t accessed his phone or bank accounts,” Det Act Insp Combridge said.
“His disappearance is still considered to be extremely out of character and we remain open to all possibilities, including that Jake may have met with foul play.”
Police have re-released images of Jake in the hope that people will come forward with information about his disappearance or current whereabouts.
“We’re hopeful that with the passage of time, someone is able to now come forward and provide information about what happened to Jake – this could be observations from the time or information they have heard over the last decade.
“Even the smallest new detail could lead to a breakthrough and provide Jake’s family with some answers.”
Any information to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
