Daniel Hidden, a 26-year-old magician, has disappeared without a trace in the remote wilderness of Springbrook, Queensland, prompting the deployment of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to aid in the search. He was last seen leaving his home at 3am on June 14, driving a silver Hyundai Santa Fe towing a caravan. His phone was switched off at 6am that same day, and he has not been heard from since.
Search Operation Underway
Authorities have launched a massive search operation involving police, firefighters, volunteers, and drones. Two days into the hunt, Hidden's silver Hyundai Santa Fe and Galaxy caravan were discovered near Currumbin Creek Rd in a remote bushland area several miles south of his home on the Gold Coast. Fire crews and drones have been scouring the vast Currumbin valley, a remote section of Springbrook National Park.
Acting Inspector Brett Jackson stated, “Because of the terrain and the large area that needs to be traversed, we have been utilising aerial assets in Queensland including police, Polair and also drones.” The challenging terrain has led to the call for reinforcements from the ADF.
Chilling Message on Website
Hidden's disappearance is considered out of character by police. In a chilling twist, his personal website features the message: “Transformation requires disappearance.” It is unclear when this message appeared, and authorities are not treating it as connected to his disappearance.
Missing Toddler Case Revisited
In a separate case, the grandparent of four-year-old Gus Lamont, who has been missing for nearly a year in the Australian outback, has spoken out. Gus was last seen playing outside his family's sheep station, Oak Park Station, near Yunta, South Australia, on September 27. Despite 11 large-scale searches, no trace of the toddler has been found.
Grandparent Josie Murray, 75, revealed she is the “main suspect” in the police investigation. She told 7News' Spotlight programme, “They’ve said they don’t think I’ve hurt him, they think that I’ve buried him - that’s one of the theories they’re working on.” Ms Murray denied the allegations, stating, “For so many reasons it’s ludicrous. It doesn’t make sense. Why would you do that to yourself?”
