Search enters fourth day for missing 17-year-old in Walhalla, Victoria
Police and rescue teams continue a multi-agency search for 17-year-old William, who vanished on November 6 near Stoney Creek Road, while a separate unrelated death was reported in the same area.
Police say 17-year-old William from the Latrobe Valley disappeared on November 6 around 4 p.m. near Stoney Creek Road in Walhalla East while on a weekend camping trip. He was last seen walking a short distance away from the campsite, wearing shorts, work boots and no shirt, and without his phone. Authorities believe he may have become disoriented in the terrain.
A box of cereal and marshmallows thought to belong to William was recovered near the campsite. The search, now in its fourth day, involves the Public Order Response Team, Dog Squad, Mounted Branch, Search and Rescue Squad and police resources from Maffra, Sale, Rosedale, Morwell and Bairnsdale, as well as the Gippsland motorcycle branch. About 80 volunteers joined the effort on Tuesday morning, and a command post has been established in Cowwarr to coordinate operations.
"The family is increasingly concerned for their son," police said.
Authorities urge anyone who sees William or has information about his whereabouts to contact Triple Zero (000) or Crime Stoppers.
During the same search, the body of a 76-year-old man from Warrnambool was found in nearby bushland. The man, identified only as Geoffrey, had been missing since November 4 and was last seen on Church Road. Police confirmed the death is unrelated to William’s case and is not being treated as suspicious.