A heartbroken mother is preparing for her first Christmas without her 27-year-old son, who disappeared from Queensland’s Wide Bay region more than two months ago.
Jack McClennan was last seen on October 4 at Ficks Crossing recreational grounds between Wondai and Murgon, about 250 kilometres north-west of Brisbane.
He was reported leaving the area on foot.
The alarm was raised the following day when calls and texts were going unanswered.
According to his mother, Kellie McClennan, he was at a bottle shop with his colleague.
“Just letting his hair down a bit because it was his day off,” she told 9News.
Kellie said her son’s disappearance was “really out of character”, adding that he had never wandered off before.
For the past 70 days, she has been living like no parent should.
“The worst feeling you could ever imagine,” she said.
His unexplained disappearance has rattled the tiny town of Murgon and a daily reminder is plastered on a billboard on the side of the Bunya Highway.
The sign, urging motorists to report any potential sightings to police, is part of his mother’s pursuit for answers.
“He would light a room when he walked in it, just always full of energy, positivity,” she said.
Three days after Jack was last seen, a search began. Crews found his shoes in bushland and then his hat in town.
A week later, police divers were called in but the search was ultimately scaled back.
On November 4, police launched a special investigation.
Jack’s wallet was then found in bushland on a private property on November 16.
Now, two months on, investigators are still baffled as to what happened to Jack.
While his belongings have been found, it’s still unclear if he ever left the area.
Detectives are following unconfirmed reports Jack was seen walking on the Bunya Highway.
They are also looking to speak to the driver of a dark-coloured ute with a rooftop tent, who had been camping in the area.
As a hopeful Kellie attempts to search every inch of the surrounding bushland, Jack’s former partner Carlee fears he was met with foul play.
“100 per cent. I don’t know who but yeah,” she said.
“I’ve kind of learned to accept that he’s not coming back.”
Jack’s last known message was to Carlee when he said “goodnight” at 10.10pm before vanishing.
Jack is described as Caucasian, about 185cm tall with light brown hair, brown eyes, and was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and dark shorts.
Anyone who may have information on his whereabouts or was in the vicinity of Ficks Crossing between 3pm on October 4 and midday on October 5 is urged to come forward.