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Outlook: A decade without Dan: The search for my brother gave me purpose

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Dan O'Keeffe at the beach

15/07/2021 GMT

A decade without Dan: The search for my brother gave me purpose

BBC World Service - Outlook, A decade without Dan: The search for my brother gave me purpose

The loss of Loren O’ Keeffe’s brother led her to help families with missing loved ones

Loren O'Keeffe spent years searching the vastness of Australia for her brother Dan who vanished a decade ago. She now works to help families of other long-term missing persons.

On the 15th of July, 2011, 24-year-old Dan O’Keeffe went missing from his parents’ home in the state of Victoria, Australia.

The family reported him missing but as there were no suspicious circumstances it wasn’t classed as a priority by the police and so Dan’s sister, Loren quit her job and led the long and gruelling search to try and find him, bringing together thousands of strangers along the way through the social media campaign, Dan Come Home.

It would be almost five years before Dan’s body was discovered close to the family home where he was last seen.

A decade since his disappearance Loren O’Keeffe has now dedicated her life to supporting the families of other long-term missing persons across Australia, using her own experience, knowledge and resources she has founded a charity called the Missing Persons Advocacy Network, which creates awareness for missing persons and supports those who are left behind.

If you've been affected by any of the issues discussed in this programme the BBC action line has a list of organisations offering support. Just look online for bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Image: Dan O'Keeffe at the beach
Credit: Loren O'Keeffe

Presenter: Anu Anand
Producer: Thomas Harding Assinder

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

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