Forty years after Des disappeared without a trace on a remote outback road, the mystery takes an unexpected turn.

For the first time, the host reveals the deeply personal connection behind the investigation—Des wasn't just another missing person. 

As childhood memories collide with decades of unanswered questions, a previously unknown lead emerges from police files: a witness who claimed to have seen Des alive after he vanished, and years later returned to the area where he believed he found one of Des's belongings.

Why did it take more than 30 years for this witness to come forward? Why wasn't the family told? And could this overlooked lead finally explain what happened on that isolated stretch of highway in 1979?

This episode explores the lifelong impact of having a loved one simply disappear, the hope that never truly fades, and the difficult reality of living without answers. It also uncovers fresh information that could reignite one of Western Australia's most enduring missing person cases.

Sometimes the biggest discoveries don't come from finding new evidence.

They come from asking questions no one realised still needed answering.

Forty years after Des disappeared without a trace on a remote outback road, the mystery takes an unexpected turn.
For the first time, the host reveals the deeply personal connection behind the investigation&mdash;Des wasn't just another missing person.&nbsp;
As childhood memories collide with decades of unanswered questions, a previously unknown lead emerges from police files: a witness who claimed to have seen Des alive after he vanished, and years later returned to the area where he believed he found one of Des's belongings.
Why did it take more than 30 years for this witness to come forward? Why wasn't the family told? And could this overlooked lead finally explain what happened on that isolated stretch of highway in 1979?
This episode explores the lifelong impact of having a loved one simply disappear, the hope that never truly fades, and the difficult reality of living without answers. It also uncovers fresh information that could reignite one of Western Australia's most enduring missing person cases.
Sometimes the biggest discoveries don't come from finding new evidence.
They come from asking questions no one realised still needed answering.

What Happened To… is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of missing people across Australia, with a focus on lesser-known cases that deserve more attention. Each episode explores a new story, helping families keep their loved one’s name in the public conversation and raising awareness in the hope that someone, somewhere, may know something. 

This series exists to support families, amplify their voices, and remind Australia that no missing person should ever be forgotten.
If you're interested at reaching a trusted Australian audience for your business in any one of our shows, book a free call here 

Support and Information

If you have information about a missing person, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report at crimestoppers.com.au. Reports can be made confidentially. 

For information about missing persons in Australia, visit the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre at missingpersons.gov.au. The centre is run by the Australian Federal Police and helps coordinate national awareness around missing persons cases.  

If this episode has raised distressing feelings, you can contact Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.

 

What Happened To&hellip; is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of missing people across Australia, with a focus on lesser-known cases that deserve more attention. Each episode explores a new story, helping families keep their loved one&rsquo;s name in the public conversation and raising awareness in the hope that someone, somewhere, may know something.&nbsp;
This series exists to support families, amplify their voices, and remind Australia that no missing person should ever be forgotten. If you're interested at reaching a trusted Australian audience for your business in any one of our shows, book a free call <a href="https://simple-promise.replit.app/">here&nbsp;</a>
Support and Information
If you have information about a missing person, contact&nbsp;Crime Stoppers&nbsp;on&nbsp;1800 333 000&nbsp;or submit a report at&nbsp;crimestoppers.com.au. Reports can be made confidentially.&nbsp;
For information about missing persons in Australia, visit the&nbsp;National Missing Persons Coordination Centre&nbsp;at&nbsp;missingpersons.gov.au. The centre is run by the Australian Federal Police and helps coordinate national awareness around missing persons cases. &nbsp;
If this episode has raised distressing feelings, you can contact Lifeline&nbsp;24 hours a day on&nbsp;13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.
&nbsp;

What Happened To… is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of missing people across Australia, with a focus on lesser-known cases that deserve more attention.

What Happened To…

What Happened To… is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of missing people across Australia, with a focus on lesser-known cases that deserve more attention. Each episode explores a new story, helping families keep their loved one’s name in the public conversation and raising awareness in the hope that someone, somewhere, may know something. 

This series exists to support families, amplify their voices, and remind Australia that no missing person should ever be forgotten.



Support and Information

If you have information about a missing person, contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a report at crimestoppers.com.au. Reports can be made confidentially. 

For information about missing persons in Australia, visit the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre at missingpersons.gov.au. The centre is run by the Australian Federal Police and helps coordinate national awareness around missing persons cases.  

 

If this episode has raised distressing feelings, you can contact Lifeline 24 hours a day on 13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.

What Happened To&hellip; is a podcast dedicated to sharing the stories of missing people across Australia, with a focus on lesser-known cases that deserve more attention. Each episode explores a new story, helping families keep their loved one&rsquo;s name in the public conversation and raising awareness in the hope that someone, somewhere, may know something.&nbsp;
This series exists to support families, amplify their voices, and remind Australia that no missing person should ever be forgotten. 
Support and Information
If you have information about a missing person, contact&nbsp;Crime Stoppers&nbsp;on&nbsp;1800 333 000&nbsp;or submit a report at&nbsp;crimestoppers.com.au. Reports can be made confidentially.&nbsp;
For information about missing persons in Australia, visit the&nbsp;National Missing Persons Coordination Centre&nbsp;at&nbsp;missingpersons.gov.au. The centre is run by the Australian Federal Police and helps coordinate national awareness around missing persons cases. &nbsp;
&nbsp;
If this episode has raised distressing feelings, you can contact&nbsp;Lifeline&nbsp;24 hours a day on&nbsp;13 11 14 or visit lifeline.org.au.

The Witness Who Waited 35 Years

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/2ea21d1b-9a26-4ad4-98b6-b494005e9173/transcript