At a Glance
- Jayden Penno-Tompsett was found in northern Queensland on January 23.
- He vanished on New Year’s Eve 2017 near Charters Towers.
- The cause of death remains under investigation.
- Why it matters: The discovery ends an eight-year search that kept a family and community in suspense.
Jayden Penno-Tompsett’s remains were identified in a remote Queensland property, ending a search that began on New Year’s Eve 2017. The 22-year-old, originally from Newcastle, was last seen near a roadhouse on Thompson Street in Charters Towers before disappearing into the outback.
Background
The disappearance occurred in the early hours of December 31, 2017. Penno-Tompsett was traveling on a planned three-day road trip to celebrate the holiday. He was last seen near a roadhouse on what is also known as Flinders Highway in Charters Towers.
An inquest in 2021 concluded that he was likely under the influence of drugs when he left his car and died in bushland. Reports indicated that he became erratic after he could not locate a stash of drugs, prompting his disappearance.
Search Efforts
- January 2018: An extensive multi-agency land search was conducted over several days. Despite the effort, Penno-Tompsett was never found.
- October 20, 2023: Suspected human remains were located on a rural property in Breddan, near Charters Towers.
- January 3, 2018: Penno-Tompsett was officially reported missing by his friend who had not seen him again.
The Queensland Police Service conducted the search and later confirmed the remains were those of the missing man.
Recent Discovery
On January 23, officials confirmed that the remains discovered in northern Queensland in October were those of Jayden Penno-Tompsett. The Queensland Police Service issued a statement acknowledging the identification.
The family received the devastating news on the same day. The organizer of the Facebook page dedicated to the search posted:
> “Whilst this isn’t the outcome we were praying for, we are grateful that Jay has finally been found,” the organizer of the page wrote. The family also expressed gratitude for everyone who has supported Rachel over the past eight years, either by searching, sharing his story, or sending best wishes.
The administrator continued: “We are forever grateful to you all.”
Investigation
Penno-Tompsett’s cause of death is still under investigation. The Queensland Police Service had nothing further to add, and Queensland’s Department of Justice and the man’s family did not immediately respond when contacted by News Of Los Angeles.
The 2021 inquest suggested drug influence, but the final determination remains pending.
Community Response
For years, the family and community kept the story alive. During Australia’s National Missing Persons Week, the Facebook page shared tributes to Penno-Tompsett and his mother. The posts highlighted the emotional toll of the prolonged uncertainty.
> “But sadly, life hasn’t gone to plan / Her heart forever broken / But her love remains the same,” the organizers wrote on August 8. “You see, now her boy is missing / And her life is not the same / The torture of not knowing / When his Mother screams his name.”
Key Takeaways
- The identification of Jayden Penno-Tompsett’s remains ends an eight-year search.
- The cause of death remains under investigation, with drug influence suspected.
- The family’s gratitude underscores the emotional impact of prolonged missing-person cases.
The discovery provides closure to a community that had been waiting for answers since December 31, 2017.
