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Missing: More True Stories from Families of Australian Missing Persons
With over 55,000 disappearances annually in Australia, each story is a heart-wrenching account of unanswered questions and shattered lives.
From a West Australian man entangled in the dangers of online dating to an Adelaide father possibly linked to Australia's most notorious serial killings, Morris uncovers haunting tales of those who vanished without a trace. Three mothers leaving behind bewildered children, a young hitchhiker lost on a desolate Queensland highway, and two Sydney men who lost their way – all woven into the fabric of inexplicable disappearances.
The narrative spans decades, from the 1980s to present-day mysteries, including the puzzling case of a gentle Greenpeace worker vanishing amidst inner-city Melbourne, the suspicious disappearance of a 21-year-old, and the grim discovery of scattered remains in Queensland, unravelling a harrowing tale of violence and tragedy. And then there is the perplexing case of a man who went missing over and over again.
Missing sheds light on the untold stories of those who vanished, leaving behind a void of unanswered questions and enduring pain. Nicole Morris brings attention to the cold cases from families of missing persons, raising awareness, and hopefully uncovering new leads for desperate families searching for the truth.
From a West Australian man entangled in the dangers of online dating to an Adelaide father possibly linked to Australia's most notorious serial killings, Morris uncovers haunting tales of those who vanished without a trace. Three mothers leaving behind bewildered children, a young hitchhiker lost on a desolate Queensland highway, and two Sydney men who lost their way – all woven into the fabric of inexplicable disappearances.
The narrative spans decades, from the 1980s to present-day mysteries, including the puzzling case of a gentle Greenpeace worker vanishing amidst inner-city Melbourne, the suspicious disappearance of a 21-year-old, and the grim discovery of scattered remains in Queensland, unravelling a harrowing tale of violence and tragedy. And then there is the perplexing case of a man who went missing over and over again.
Missing sheds light on the untold stories of those who vanished, leaving behind a void of unanswered questions and enduring pain. Nicole Morris brings attention to the cold cases from families of missing persons, raising awareness, and hopefully uncovering new leads for desperate families searching for the truth.
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Published May 1, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
October 2, 2024
I previously enjoyed Vanished: True Stories from Families of Australian Missing Persons and hoped there would be a second book. In Missing, Nicole Morris shares twelve more powerful stories of Australian missing persons. It’s a collection that places the reader alongside their families.
"In 2022, 55,000 people went missing. That works out to be 150 people a day."
Each story is told with the compassion and empathy that Nicole has become known for. She is a fantastic voice for the missing. You become invested in these stories, wanting to help bring families the closure and answers they desperately seek. I couldn’t help forming my own theories and venturing down rabbit holes. I really felt for each family – they knew unimaginable pain, yet displayed strength and resilience across these pages. You can’t help sometimes being swept up by their hope and determination.
“I try not to let anything get to me, because if I did I’d be a mess. You’ve got to keep going, and you put that onto the side.”
Nicole has a sixth sense for knowing when to let families share their memories and heartaches, and when to deliver her own observations - drawing on vast experience with missing persons cases. She strikes a perfect balance.
Missing explores the devastating impact on those left behind. It also touches on deficiencies in our justice system and police incompetence – the latter having a devastating impact on certain portions of society.
“It’s a story I unfortunately hear time and again: when people report adult males as missing persons, there’s often no sense of urgency on the part of the police to investigate immediately.”
While the book features a significant amount of tragedy, it’s ultimately about love and the courage to push through adversity. It not only brings much-needed awareness to the twelve featured cases, but all those missing around the world.
It’s not often that books hold the potential to help solve crimes – yet that’s the power of Missing. It’s a heartfelt, compassionate sequel to Vanished and filled with reminders to cherish the time we have with loved ones.
“As a community, to care about one another is the greatest thing we can do as human beings.”
Steven Lockey. Joanne Butterfield. Rigby Fielding. Gail King. Anthony Jones. Owen Redman. Andrew Anderson. Jamie Howe. Sandrine Jourdan. Stephen Mitchell. Shaun Barker. Paul.
If you have any information about these (or other missing) people, please call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Many thanks to the author for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
"In 2022, 55,000 people went missing. That works out to be 150 people a day."
Each story is told with the compassion and empathy that Nicole has become known for. She is a fantastic voice for the missing. You become invested in these stories, wanting to help bring families the closure and answers they desperately seek. I couldn’t help forming my own theories and venturing down rabbit holes. I really felt for each family – they knew unimaginable pain, yet displayed strength and resilience across these pages. You can’t help sometimes being swept up by their hope and determination.
“I try not to let anything get to me, because if I did I’d be a mess. You’ve got to keep going, and you put that onto the side.”
Nicole has a sixth sense for knowing when to let families share their memories and heartaches, and when to deliver her own observations - drawing on vast experience with missing persons cases. She strikes a perfect balance.
Missing explores the devastating impact on those left behind. It also touches on deficiencies in our justice system and police incompetence – the latter having a devastating impact on certain portions of society.
“It’s a story I unfortunately hear time and again: when people report adult males as missing persons, there’s often no sense of urgency on the part of the police to investigate immediately.”
While the book features a significant amount of tragedy, it’s ultimately about love and the courage to push through adversity. It not only brings much-needed awareness to the twelve featured cases, but all those missing around the world.
It’s not often that books hold the potential to help solve crimes – yet that’s the power of Missing. It’s a heartfelt, compassionate sequel to Vanished and filled with reminders to cherish the time we have with loved ones.
“As a community, to care about one another is the greatest thing we can do as human beings.”
Steven Lockey. Joanne Butterfield. Rigby Fielding. Gail King. Anthony Jones. Owen Redman. Andrew Anderson. Jamie Howe. Sandrine Jourdan. Stephen Mitchell. Shaun Barker. Paul.
If you have any information about these (or other missing) people, please call Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.
Many thanks to the author for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
January 9, 2025
Important but hard to read book (at times)! Some tough stories.
October 6, 2024
In 2022, 55,000 people went missing, that works out to be 150 people a day.. that is a unbelievable statistic, that brings to light how important books like ‘Missing’ really are, for giving a voice to families and friends, desperately searching for missing loved ones
Written by Nicole Morris, who is the founder and director of the Australian Missing Persons Register, ‘Missing’ takes you on a personal and raw journey of 12 families who are seeking answers
12 families who’s lives have been through the most unimaginable, life changing situation.
Nicole is a voice for these families, and shares every piece of information possible with compassion.
I was absolutely invested, and glued to the page as each story unfolded
Heartbreakingly this book brings to light some of the ‘road blocks’ victims families can be met with, particularly from those who are meant to serve and protect.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy to read and review
Written by Nicole Morris, who is the founder and director of the Australian Missing Persons Register, ‘Missing’ takes you on a personal and raw journey of 12 families who are seeking answers
12 families who’s lives have been through the most unimaginable, life changing situation.
Nicole is a voice for these families, and shares every piece of information possible with compassion.
I was absolutely invested, and glued to the page as each story unfolded
Heartbreakingly this book brings to light some of the ‘road blocks’ victims families can be met with, particularly from those who are meant to serve and protect.
Thank you to the author for sending me a copy to read and review
September 11, 2024
This book was an extremely interesting, heartbreaking and emotional read. The author, Nicole Morris is the Director of the Australian Missing Persons Register and, in this book, she takes us through the cases of 12 missing people. With quotes and statements from family members, the book is quite hard to get through and makes you realise just how many people are going missing in Australia every year. As a social worker I frequently work with families and individuals who are experiencing trauma, and I feel this book is raising awareness about how many people go missing and their stories, which will hopefully open up the conversation. I now plan to pick up a copy of Nicole’s first book ‘Vanished’. I feel that Nicole is doing a great job spreading awareness for these families and tells their stories in such an impactful manner. I highly recommend picking up a copy of this book.
October 19, 2024
Nicole Morris is such a beautiful soul being able to bring light on these missing people and by writing about them hopefully bringing some answers and closure. Very beautifully written, had me in tears in some parts. Keep up the great job Nicole.
September 16, 2024
Interesting and heartbreaking book. Author clearly spent a lot of time working with families to collate the stories.
At times, the dates were not referred to and it was unclear when the story was jumping between present and past.
Could have benefitted from a bit more clarity editing.
At times, the dates were not referred to and it was unclear when the story was jumping between present and past.
Could have benefitted from a bit more clarity editing.
December 1, 2024
After reading Vanished, I decided to take a break before diving into Missing, knowing it would be another heavy read—and I was absolutely right. This book is just as heartbreaking as the first, and it left a deep impact on me.
What stands out most is how clearly it highlights the lack of commitment, compassion, and effort the system has when it comes to men. This isn’t an isolated issue—I’ve noticed the same disparity in sectors like homelessness, domestic violence, and even during International Men’s Day. It’s disheartening to see how the system often overlooks men, including when they go missing. While the support and services available for women are absolutely vital and commendable, the imbalance inadvertently leaves men with far fewer resources, and that needs to change.
Chapter 11 was particularly devastating. It’s a huge reminder of how broken our so-called “justice” system truly is. Nicole’s dedication to telling these stories and fighting for answers is nothing short of inspiring. Her commitment to turning strangers into friends and building a supportive community is remarkable.
My heart goes out to everyone featured in these books, as well as to all the families still searching for answers. I hope they find the closure they deserve. Nicole’s work is an important voice for those often left unheard, and I deeply admire her for that
What stands out most is how clearly it highlights the lack of commitment, compassion, and effort the system has when it comes to men. This isn’t an isolated issue—I’ve noticed the same disparity in sectors like homelessness, domestic violence, and even during International Men’s Day. It’s disheartening to see how the system often overlooks men, including when they go missing. While the support and services available for women are absolutely vital and commendable, the imbalance inadvertently leaves men with far fewer resources, and that needs to change.
Chapter 11 was particularly devastating. It’s a huge reminder of how broken our so-called “justice” system truly is. Nicole’s dedication to telling these stories and fighting for answers is nothing short of inspiring. Her commitment to turning strangers into friends and building a supportive community is remarkable.
My heart goes out to everyone featured in these books, as well as to all the families still searching for answers. I hope they find the closure they deserve. Nicole’s work is an important voice for those often left unheard, and I deeply admire her for that
October 8, 2024
I give this 5 stars, not because I love it (love is not an emotion I feel when reading this) but because it is necessary. This book, this publication, the awareness it raises and the author, Nicole Morris, and the work she does is absolutely necessary.
I follow Nicole and her Australian Missing Persons Register on Facebook. There was no official register till Nicole started one. There are approximately 55,000 people that go missing in this country each year. It is a vast, unforgiving terrain that, sadly, swallows people up, or allows horrible people to hide bodies. This overwhelms an already strained police force. It also highlights levels of incompetence in areas of said force.
Not an easy read but certainly necessary. I’ve often asked myself, what can I do? In this, I can buy Nicole’s books, share missing person posts, remember individuals and support the very crucial role Nicole has stepped into.
I follow Nicole and her Australian Missing Persons Register on Facebook. There was no official register till Nicole started one. There are approximately 55,000 people that go missing in this country each year. It is a vast, unforgiving terrain that, sadly, swallows people up, or allows horrible people to hide bodies. This overwhelms an already strained police force. It also highlights levels of incompetence in areas of said force.
Not an easy read but certainly necessary. I’ve often asked myself, what can I do? In this, I can buy Nicole’s books, share missing person posts, remember individuals and support the very crucial role Nicole has stepped into.
December 31, 2024
i love the first book Vanished . Nicole shares 12 more powerful stories of Australian missing person and im hoping she does continue to read these as i love them. I love reading the stories from the missing person's families and hopefully they reach other people that can shed light on them .
July 1, 2025
Always such a sad series to read. Nicole is an amazing woman
September 19, 2025
this was such a unique read! i really enjoyed it!
October 16, 2024
Most of the stories in this book are completely and utterly heartbreaking but it was really fantastic the way that the author laid out all the facts whilst also showing lots of compassion for both the victims and the victims’ families
September 23, 2024
In 2023, I was privileged to read Vanished and, while by no means an easy read, it became my favourite non-fiction read of the year. So you can imagine that when I heard a rumour Nicole Morris was working on a second book, I was particularly keen - and Missing has certainly lived up to expectation.
It was frightening to read that the amount of people going missing in Australia has only increased since the last book was published, and yet between that and the inclusion of Shaun Barker’s story, this really drove home the fact that going missing or having a loved one disappear could happen to anyone. And I think it’s this, as well as a seemingly running theme of investigations that could have been run better or sooner, and persistent, determined family members who won’t give up, that really drives home the importance of this book.
It’s a devastating read, yes, but it showcases the people behind the ‘missing’ Facebook posts from local police; their lives, family and friends, personalities, challenges. Those missing become so much more than a face and ‘brown hair, 170cm tall’; they become local Aussies like you and me.
The Australian Missing Persons Register has built a community of people whose loved ones are missing and people who want to help find them, and Missing builds upon this community by spreading the word and revealing the people behind the mission. It’s a tough read, confronting at times, but it’s a very valuable one - and I sincerely hope many, many Aussies pick up both it and its predecessor Vanished.
It was frightening to read that the amount of people going missing in Australia has only increased since the last book was published, and yet between that and the inclusion of Shaun Barker’s story, this really drove home the fact that going missing or having a loved one disappear could happen to anyone. And I think it’s this, as well as a seemingly running theme of investigations that could have been run better or sooner, and persistent, determined family members who won’t give up, that really drives home the importance of this book.
It’s a devastating read, yes, but it showcases the people behind the ‘missing’ Facebook posts from local police; their lives, family and friends, personalities, challenges. Those missing become so much more than a face and ‘brown hair, 170cm tall’; they become local Aussies like you and me.
The Australian Missing Persons Register has built a community of people whose loved ones are missing and people who want to help find them, and Missing builds upon this community by spreading the word and revealing the people behind the mission. It’s a tough read, confronting at times, but it’s a very valuable one - and I sincerely hope many, many Aussies pick up both it and its predecessor Vanished.
July 20, 2025
Firstly , I must thank Nicole for sending me a copy of her second book Missing in exchange for an honest review.
Nicole is the author of Vanished, the book published prior to this one. She is also the founder of the Australian Missing Persons Register.
Did you know that in 2022, 55,000 Australians went missing? 99% of those are located - not all found alive however at least families have closure.
In this book, we learn of a further 11 people who have gone missing. Each chapter devoted to a missing person. This is a fascinating (often very sad) insight into the lives of these missing people and the loved ones they have left behind, looking for closure and of course immense hope in finding them one day.
At times I was very frustrated and you could really get the sense of the frustration of the family.
Overall this was an important read. From someone who has never experienced a loved one go missing, this really hit home and I truly felt the loss and grief through each story.
I did enjoy the last chapter of the book, which was unlike the previous eleven chapters.
The compassion Nicole has for these families is incredible given that she herself hasn’t had first hand experience with a missing loved one.
Nicole is the author of Vanished, the book published prior to this one. She is also the founder of the Australian Missing Persons Register.
Did you know that in 2022, 55,000 Australians went missing? 99% of those are located - not all found alive however at least families have closure.
In this book, we learn of a further 11 people who have gone missing. Each chapter devoted to a missing person. This is a fascinating (often very sad) insight into the lives of these missing people and the loved ones they have left behind, looking for closure and of course immense hope in finding them one day.
At times I was very frustrated and you could really get the sense of the frustration of the family.
Overall this was an important read. From someone who has never experienced a loved one go missing, this really hit home and I truly felt the loss and grief through each story.
I did enjoy the last chapter of the book, which was unlike the previous eleven chapters.
The compassion Nicole has for these families is incredible given that she herself hasn’t had first hand experience with a missing loved one.
June 1, 2025
A compelling, informative and compassionately written book by Nicole Morris, who is the founder and director of the Australian Missing Persons Register. ‘Missing’ takes you on a personal and raw journey of 12 families who are seeking answers as to what has really happened to their missing loved ones. This book was a fascinating read into the 12 cases of these missing people, the investigations that took place at the time and in some cases are still ongoing, the families feelings about how their missing loved ones case has been handled along with insights from them into each of the missing people and what they think may have happened to them, without having any actual solid answers. This book also sheds light on some of the road blocks the victims families can be met with in trying to have law enforcement take their concerns for their missing loved ones welfare seriously enough to conduct an investigation. Heartbreaking, bittersweet and poignant, Nicole captures the essence of each missing person and takes them from being a missing person face in a photo to an actual blood and bones person who is dearly missed by family and loved ones who just want to know what happened to them. #nicolemorris #missing #bigskypublishing #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #getlitsy #thestorygraph #truecrime #bookqueen #bookstagram #fable
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March 28, 2025How do you rate such a book on a topic that is very much a reality for all of us? As a kid I’d seen the Missing Person’s ads on TV and not understood the starkness of such a thing occurring. Each case presented was done with utmost care and sensitivity that every one of us deserves, should the event happen to us all. Furthermore, the range of cases here doesn’t necessitate murder or foul play, though that is a reality for some individuals in certain situations. Sometimes it is mental illness, family problems, drugs, abuse, or simply wanting a change.
July 6, 2025
What an incredible book. The author did such an amazing job of showing the toil a missing family member on those left behind. It’s frustrating to know that so often the police will discount or ignore the worry and fear of the families.
I was able to listen to this on Libro as a bookseller and I feel like it added another layer hearing the author read the book. So many heartbreaking stories. I hope the families in this book will one day get the closure they so desperately need and deserve.
I was able to listen to this on Libro as a bookseller and I feel like it added another layer hearing the author read the book. So many heartbreaking stories. I hope the families in this book will one day get the closure they so desperately need and deserve.
May 10, 2025
Heartbreaking stories told with sensitivity and compassion.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews