Indescribable: Family’s Agony Deepens After Heartbreaking Discovery in Search for NSW Man Missing for Two Years
A mobile phone and money have been uncovered during the renewed search for a missing New South Wales man who vanished over two years ago.
Emergency services resumed the search for Patrick Liedke last weekend after new evidence emerged last month.
On July 3, police were called to a property on Bush Creek Road after reports that personal belongings had been discovered.
“The family extends heartfelt thanks to every volunteer, police and agency member involved in today’s efforts. Their dedication, compassion and resilience remain central to the ongoing search for Patrick.” Picture: Find Patrick Liedke / Facebook
“At the scene, officers seized a driver’s licence, personal cards and a wallet believed to belong to Patrick,” police said.
“The items were photographed and mapped by specialist forensic police before being seized for further examination.”
Mr Liedke’s sister Nicole told ABC Radio she was hopeful the discovery would help bring her brother home.
“We are just incredibly hopeful and grateful that this search, that I have been campaigning for, for really two years, is going ahead. It has been a long wait,” she said.
Asked what it meant to have Patrick’s wallet discovered, Nicole said the feeling was “indescribable”.
“At first, I was more teary, just a mix of emotions,” Ms Liedke said.
“Just being in that space where I knew he had been, and sat there, it was quite spiritual to connect with him.”
Nicole Liedke and her team are expected to continue searching as they work to establish what happened to her brother. Picture: Find Patrick Liedke / Facebook
Following consultation with Land Search and Rescue officers, a multi-agency search resumed on August 8.
Search teams subsequently located further belongings believed to be Mr Liedke’s, including a mobile phone and additional money.
In a statement posted by the man’s family on Facebook, the new evidence had been seized by detectives for further examination.
“During today’s operation, search teams located a further item believed to be Patrick’s mobile phone, along with additional money,” the statement read.
“These items were found within the police-defined search area and have been secured by NSW Police for forensic examination.”
Police confirmed to News24.com.au that officers attached to the investigation were processing the items recovered over the weekend.
“During the search, a mobile phone was located within the search area. The device was seized and will undergo further forensic examination,” NSW Police said.
“Investigators are currently reviewing the outcomes of the search and assessing any information that may assist ongoing inquiries into Patrick’s whereabouts.”
The renewed search required emergency services and volunteers to navigate steep ridges, gullies and dense lantana across the Piggabeen and Cobaki bushland.
The operation involved NSW Police, the Police dog squad, State Emergency Service (SES) members, the Volunteer Rescue Association (VRA), Rural Fire Service personnel and ambulance crews, alongside family and dedicated community volunteers.
Police have since suspended the search operation, though Nicole and her team are expected to continue searching as they work to establish what happened to Mr Liedke.
Patrick Liedke was last seen in April 2024. Picture: Find Patrick Liedke / Facebook
Mr Liedke, 39 at the time of his disappearance, was last seen on April 22, 2024, on Gray Street at Tweed Heads West on the NSW-Queensland border.
When he failed to return home, police began inquiries into his disappearance.
His car was located on a property at nearby Cobaki in late April 2024, prompting a multi-agency search operation the following day.
In June 2025, police renewed the search, with more than 100 SES and VRA volunteers combing bushland around Tweed Heads, but searches ceased shortly after until they resumed this year.
