Authorities investigating a disappearance have uncovered the body of a young child buried in a backyard after a search lasting six hours. The tragic finding of the 18-month-old toddler was made at a residence in Melbourne, Australia. The child’s remains were discovered in a makeshift grave just 50cm below the surface at a home in Brookfield, as reported by 7 News.
The child is believed to have lived at the property with siblings in 2014 before the family moved back overseas, possibly to Albania. Although the toddler was not reported missing at the time, the Melton Crime Investigation Unit launched an inquiry into the disappearance earlier this year.
Upon informing the current homeowner that there might be a buried body near the house, police caused shock to both the resident and the local community. The homeowner expressed disbelief at the discovery, mentioning the tragic nature of the event that occurred 14 years ago.
Victoria Police clarified that the current residents have no links to the investigation or the previous occupants of the residence. They added that while the remains are still awaiting formal identification, a relative of the child provided crucial information leading to the discovery.
In a statement, the police announced the involvement of various units in the property search, which ultimately revealed the human remains. The Missing Persons Squad will now spearhead the ongoing investigation into the case.
Meanwhile, efforts are underway to locate a four-year-old named Gus Lamont who disappeared over two months ago in the Australian outback. The missing child, described as shy and adventurous, prompted extensive media coverage and large-scale search operations.
Statistics indicate that approximately 50,000 individuals go missing in Australia annually, with the vast majority being eventually located. Most disappearances are deemed deliberate, while accidental cases often involve getting lost or mental health issues.
According to the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, around two-thirds of missing persons in Australia are under 18 years old.