The family of a father-of-three who disappeared during the Christmas period have declared they will not cease their efforts to find him, maintaining hope amid an ongoing search operation.
Disappearance in Coastal Town
Luke Ben Hazelwood, aged 34, was last sighted outside a hotel on North Street in the small tourist and fishing town of Lancelin, located approximately 127 kilometres north of Perth. This sighting occurred around 5am on Christmas Eve in the year 2025.
Western Australia Police have confirmed that Mr Hazelwood was travelling in a purple or maroon Ssangyong Stavic station sedan, bearing the Western Australian registration plate '1GDR 454'. This vehicle was subsequently discovered abandoned in the hotel's car park, adding to the mystery of his whereabouts.
Delayed Reporting and Family Concerns
Authorities reported Mr Hazelwood as missing on January 5, noting that significant resources have been dedicated to locating him, yet without success thus far. His ex-wife, Amelia Kaldani, revealed that she initiated multiple welfare checks after he failed to attend a planned Boxing Day lunch with his three children before formally reporting him missing.
"I just thought I'd give him until the new year. Perhaps he was getting away for the week and he'd contact me when he was ready," Ms Kaldani explained in an interview with ABC News on Thursday. She described the situation as particularly challenging, especially for their young children who are struggling to understand their father's absence.
Mental Health Background
Ms Kaldani acknowledged that Mr Hazelwood had previously faced mental health challenges but emphasised that he had been making positive strides. "He tried hard to stay well and to get better for his family," she stated, suggesting his disappearance might be more aligned with a misadventure rather than a mental health crisis. Police have corroborated this, indicating that mental health has not been identified as a contributing factor in his disappearance.
Volunteer Search Efforts
On a recent Saturday, Ms Kaldani collaborated with the Perth-based K9 Trackers volunteer group to conduct extensive searches in and around Lancelin. The operation utilised:
- Search dogs trained for tracking
- Drone operators for aerial surveillance
- Search technicians for ground analysis
Photographs from the search depict teams meticulously scouring brush, fields, and sand dunes in the coastal region. Ms Kaldani expressed profound gratitude to the volunteers in a social media comment, writing, "Thank you K9 Trackers superstar team! We are so grateful for all the hard work, support and compassion you are showing for our family and for Luke."
Community Contributions
Highlighting Mr Hazelwood's professional background, Ms Kaldani noted his dedication to community-facing roles, particularly in supporting children. "That was his speciality, working with children with developmental delays, autism, working in schools," she told the ABC. She appealed to the community, hoping that anyone with information would come forward to honour his contributions and provide closure to his family and those he has assisted.
Police Appeal and Description
Sergeant Michael Paterson affirmed on Wednesday, "Police are doing everything we can to find out where Mr Hazelwood may have gone, and to confirm that he is okay." Officers are continuing inquiries into his potential movements and are urging public assistance.
Mr Hazelwood is described as:
- Approximately 185 centimetres tall
- Medium build
- Brown hair
- Hazel eyes
Police have specifically requested residents to review their CCTV systems or surrounding areas for any footage, particularly between 5am and 8am on Christmas Day. Anyone with information regarding Mr Hazelwood's whereabouts is encouraged to contact police immediately on 131 444 or via Crime Stoppers.
