Sydney, May 25: A $500,000 reward remains in place for information leading to the resolution of Eve Askew’s disappearance — one of the largest rewards ever offered in Tasmania. The significant incentive is part of a renewed national effort to find answers for the families of six long-term missing children, whose stories are being highlighted today as part of International Missing Children’s Day (IMCD).
Observed annually on 25 May, IMCD is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about missing children and supporting efforts to bring them home. In Australia, the day is being marked by the Australian Federal Police’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC), which has shared the deeply personal stories of six children who disappeared between 1973 and 2007 — all of whom remain missing.
The children being honoured are Megan Louise Mulquiney from the Australian Capital Territory, Ronya Livoni from the Northern Territory, Darren Jason Shannon from South Australia, Cherie Westell from Victoria, Leela McDougall from Western Australia, and Eve Askew from Tasmania. Each child disappeared under different circumstances, yet they are now bound by a shared legacy of unanswered questions and enduring hope. Darren was the youngest when he vanished, only 11 months old at the time of his disappearance.
While the children never met, they are now united in this public appeal, with profiles and memories shared on the NMPCC website and social media platforms. Families of the missing have courageously provided heartfelt details — from Megan’s love of ice skating to Eve’s afternoons spent shooting hoops — in the hope that someone, somewhere, knows something that could help bring them home.
“This International Missing Children’s Day, we have featured six missing persons on our website in hope someone, somewhere, knows something and reports it,” said AFP Commander Joanne Cameron.
Commander Cameron explained that families of missing persons often endure what is known as ambiguous loss — a unique form of grief that leaves them suspended between hope and despair.
“It can be a relentless cycle of hope and heartbreak, making it incredibly difficult for families to move forward without any real answers,” she said.
“The AFP will continue to work tirelessly to keep the stories and memories of those missing alive.”
Each year, police across Australia receive around 50,000 missing person reports, with young people aged 13 to 17 making up a significant proportion. While most are found quickly — often within 24 hours — around 2,700 people are currently classified as long-term missing, meaning they have been unaccounted for more than three months. In 2024 alone, 132 new cases were added to the long-term list.
The reasons behind disappearances vary and can include mental illness, misadventure, miscommunication, domestic violence, and, in some tragic instances, criminal acts. While children and teenagers are more likely to be located quickly, adults are far more likely to remain missing long-term.
The NMPCC is urging the public to visit its website to view the stories and profiles of the six missing children and to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestoppers.com.au with any information. All reports are confidential and may be made anonymously.
“Every piece of information can be incredibly valuable,” Commander Cameron added. “Behind every missing person is a family, friend, and community waiting for answers. If you know something, please report it.”
The forget-me-not flower, the symbol of International Missing Children’s Day, serves as a powerful reminder to never stop searching — and to keep hope alive for those still missing.
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