Magician Daniel Hidden's body has been discovered in remote bushland in Australia's Gold Coast hinterland, ending an 11-day search that involved soldiers and drones. The 26-year-old's remains were located at approximately 11am on Wednesday, June 24, in Mount Cougal National Park, Currumbin Valley, Queensland. Police have stated that his death is not being treated as suspicious, and an investigation is ongoing, with a coroner expected to examine the body.
Disappearance and Search Operation
Hidden vanished on June 14 after last being seen driving away from his Queensland home at 3am. He had been towing a caravan with his silver Hyundai Santa Fe and was reportedly heading toward the Springbrook area for a camping trip. However, he turned off his phone at 6am that day and was reported missing, sparking a major search operation. Two days into the search, police located his car and caravan near Currumbin Creek Rd, a remote bushland area.
Family's Emotional Appeal
Hidden's family remained at the search site throughout the operation. His mother, Faranak, made an emotional appeal for his safe return on Monday, June 22, telling 7News she was convinced her son was still alive. His brother, Jamshidi, revealed that the area where Hidden disappeared was one of his favorite places. "He's got the coordinates of a spot in this place tattooed on his fingers. So it means a lot to him," Jamshidi told the broadcaster.
Cryptic Website Message
At the time of his disappearance, Hidden's website carried the cryptic message: "Transformation requires disappearance." It is unclear when the message appeared, but police have stated it is not being treated as connected to his disappearance or death.
Career as a Magician
Hidden described himself as "a deception artist" and was inspired by magicians such as Derren Brown and David Blaine. His website said he was "an astonishing new breed of magician who is taking magic to the next level and bringing the art into the 21st century." His act included mentalism, stunts, impossible feats, illusions, and razor-sharp sleight of hand. He also offered interactive shows designed to provide "a crowd-pleasing experience that will leave the audience talking about the mysteries and fun for days and weeks to come."
