Maitland people are urged to come forward with information about a possible sighting of missing Geelong man Daniel O’Keeffe.
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A woman named Kris reported seeing a man matching Mr OKeeffe’s description outside Maitland Mutual Building Society in the Heritage Mall for a few weeks between late January and February 15.
The man had a black and white dog tied to a rope.
Mr O’Keeffe went missing from his Highton, Victoria home on July 15 and his family is trapped in a never ending cycle of trauma.
Mr O’Keeffe’s sister Vicki Goddard appealed to Maitland residents with information to call the family’s hotline.
“The woman had been working early shifts in the mall where she thought she saw Dan over a period of weeks,” Ms Goddard said. “She did not speak to the man but she believes it was Daniel from his picture posted on our website.
“She made a call to our hotline and that was the last time we had a reported sighting.”
Ms Goddard pleaded for Maitland residents to approach anyone they think fits her brother’s description.
“Dan had been diagnosed with depression but left home without his medication, wallet or identification,” she said. “We need people to start a conversation if you think you see him, to confirm that it is Dan.”
Mr O’Keeffe’s parents Des and Lori have posted a $50,000 reward for information that will lead them to him.
“There was no reason for Dan to be in Maitland because he doesn’t know anyone or have family in the city,” Ms Goddard said. "The Dan we know would not go wandering but we hold onto that thought rather than the other possibility.”
Mr O’Keeffe was about to start a carpentry apprenticeship at the time of his disappearance and this may have caused him anxiety and stress, Ms Goddard said.
“He has held a number of jobs, including security at the MCG,” she said. “He is a Brazilian jujitsu martial arts instructor, he is fit and healthy, a non smoker and non drinker.
“He is gentle, well spoken, well mannered and an amazing role model for young people. He is kind, respectful, warm and affectionate and all of these qualities are entrenched in his personality.
“Dan never raised his voice to anyone, he never spoke a bad word to anyone and he has a high moral character.”
Ms Goddard said her family want to know he is alive and safe.
“We want Dan to know we are looking for him so he will call us,” she said. "We will respect his decision to live his life as he wants.”
The past eight months have taken a massive toll on the family, especially Mrs O’Keeffe.
“Mum is fragile. Dan is her only son and her baby,” Ms Goddard said.
“The whole family, including our 99-year-old grandmother, nieces, nephews and extended family, is devastated.”