Police identify remains of missing 22yo Jayden Penno-Tompsett nine years after mysterious Qld disappearance
Police have confirmed human remains found on a rural Queensland field are those of a missing Newcastle man who has not been seen for nine years.
Jayden Penno-Tompsett, 22, was last seen near a roadhouse on the Flinders Highway at Charters Towers, south-west of Townsville, in the early hours of December 31, 2017.
He was traveling to Cairns with a friend to celebrate New Year’s Eve with others in a separate car.
An extensive land search involving multiple agencies was launched in January 2018, but his remains were never found.
The breakthrough came after suspicious human remains were found at a property near Charters Towers in Breddan in October last year.
They were subjected to forensic DNA analysis.
Queensland Police said the remains were confirmed to be those of Mr Penno-Tompsett on January 23.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
“A coronial investigation is ongoing,” police said in a statement on Monday.
A Facebook page dedicated to finding Mr Penno-Tompsett also confirmed the sad news.
“On Friday night Police confirmed to Rachel (Mr Penno-Tompsett’s mother) that the remains had been forensically tested and identified as Jayden,” a post on the page said.
“While this was not the outcome we prayed for, we are grateful that Jay was eventually found.
“We ask that you respect the privacy of Rachel and Jay’s family during this incredibly sad and difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.”
In 2021, a coroner found that Mr. Penno-Tompsett likely died from exposure to the elements in the woodland after abandoning his car.
Throughout the investigation, evidence was presented that the 22-year-old had been using drugs throughout the trip and had become angry when he could not find a “stash” of drug ice.
“Jayden eventually parked on the dirt road, took his MDMA and wallet, threw his phone on the ground, left it there and walked away. He had no water with him,” coroner Nerida Wilson said.
Coroner Wilson ruled out any foul play in Mr Penno-Tompsett’s death.
