Following a tragic discovery by his father on Monday, the tireless five-year search for missing Geelong man Daniel O’Keeffe has been called off.
Despite having been searched at the time of his disappearance, the 24-year-old’s body was discovered under the O’Keeffe’s family home in Highton by his father Des.
Read more about Daniel’s last day with his family here.
Breaking her silence, Dan’s mother Lori O’Keeffe has spoken of the discovery.
“That’s not anything a father wants to do, no parent should find their child like that. The fact that his father found him adds another level of grief.”
Despite years of public searching, Mrs O’Keeffe has described the discovery as too raw and has said she “can’t bring myself to go down there. It certainly wasn’t the outcome we were expecting”.
Mrs O’Keeffe thanked the community and media for their help in sharing her son’s story and keeping the search at the forefront everyone’s minds over the years.
Issuing a statement on Tuesday, the family said, “All of your thoughts, wishes and prayers are a huge comfort to our family as we come to terms with our tragic loss.”
Dan had been suffering from depression and anxiety before his disappearance on 15 July 2011. He was active within the local community and had been set to begin a carpentry apprenticeship the week following his disappearance. He was also living part-time in Melbourne with his girlfriend, Susie Mansfield.
Speaking with Mamamia following his disappearance, Dan’s sister Loren said, “Dan did all the right things to try to get himself better. He took the medication he was prescribed, attended the appointments, read books to understand more about the mind.”
The police are not treating the discovery as suspicious.
Our thoughts are with the O’Keeffe family at this tragic time.
If you or someone you know is suffering from depression or anxiety, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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