The Disappearance of Damian McKenzie | UNSOLVED

[@AthyDuGard]

The increase in outdoor survival education is a great idea and sorely needed! I've worked in Cobden & the tiny community would have been so devastated by Damian's disappearance. I think the mine shaft theory is highly plausible. Hopefully Valentine has made some progress. Thank you, DC. 🖤 🐨

[@62aligirl]

Such a sad story! I hadn’t heard of this case, even though we were the same age. I grew up near the Australian bush and spent many weekends hiking with my family during the seventies. In retrospect my parents were pretty proactive. We each wore a thunder whistle, carried a drink bottle and had special little booklets of bright orange paper to mark branches if we became lost. Were told to stop walking the moment we couldn’t see our group and to blow the whistle if we were lost.

[@keepcalmyouexist358]

Pretty neat idea, the little papers!

[@whitedragoness23]

What kinda of papers were they? Can you still buy them ? Sounds like s good idea for now a days as people still get lost.

[@TheTonialadd]

These are the stories I dislike the most. As a former police officer I’ve worked on many child related incidents. Missing children, and/or murdered children are the worst. You feel terrible for the family, and helpless when you don’t have an answer for them. These cases are the ones I never forget. So sad.

[@CharlotteWV01]

Which case stays with you, if you don’t mind my asking?

[@UKProperPrepper]

So long as you tried your best to resolve, you can sleep easy.

[@TheTonialadd]

@@CharlotteWV01 look up Nathaniel Bar Jona from Montana. He kidnapped a neighborhood boy who went to school with my kids. We searched for a very long time. Nathaniel lived above my sisters apartment.

[@TheTonialadd]

@Tammy Allen thanks so much! Unfortunately, when I worked at the different agencies there was very few female officers, so I got all of the sex crime’s.

[@AverageAmerican]

Thank you for taking your oaths seriously. May Yahweh bring you eternal blessings, *@Somebody's grandma* and everyone who dedicates their time and risks their lives to help humanity!

[@dog-gone-it5944]

When I was 12, I was walking with 4 friends in the woods. I don't even know how I got separated from them, but apparently, I went one way, and they all decided to leave and go home. I loved going through the woods and seeing everything. I was very much a tomboy. I got turned around and couldn't find my way back to where I came in. I walked and walked for so long. I ended up going through a little river and was shaking wet, dirty, and tired by the time I came out. I ended up in a neighborhood on an army base 10 miles away from where I went in. It is very easy for kids to get lost in the woods. Everything looks the same, and when it starts to get dark like it did with me, you just can't find your way home. If the woods had continued, I would have just kept walking. I was lucky. I went towards a mom and her kids that had just pulled up in their driveway and told them I was lost and the military police took me home.

[@elenaarman-tang7811]

I am so happy you found the mom and was taken home by the military police 🙏💙🙏

[@apseudonym]

Also that story about the tree falling really scares me because I remember walking in Warburton with my sister when a massive tree fell and slid down the hill towards us. I have no idea how we jumped out of the way so quickly but we almost certainly would have been killed if we were a few steps behind.

[@leahvogelsimpson]

These bizarre disappearance cases blow my mind. I just don't get how you can pretty much vanish without a trace. Poor kid.

[@sebastianelytron8450]

Nobody can just vanish. He died due to negligence by those who should've looked after him and so they decided to cover it up.

[@leahvogelsimpson]

@@sebastianelytron8450 yes obviously I realize that, it's just a saying. That possibly happened here but in general these kinds of cases happen often it seems. Like the missing 411 type cases. I'm not saying this one specifically. They rarely even find a body.

[@AverageAmerican]

@@leahvogelsimpson It could be an alien abduction. Even though many people will not consider the possibility, that race is sub terrestrial enemies. They have a motive, the means, and they need but small windows of opportunities...

[@yesthisisme]

@@AverageAmerican i honestly can't tell if you're joking or not due to your username. - imo Damian drowned and was swept away by strong waters.

[@louisejones5773]

@@AverageAmerican i know them as the fallen. The government calls them aliens as a cover up

[@truthylucy7068]

As a parent, the thought of losing a child is inconceivable. What's even more inconceivable is to have that child taken! Never knowing who,what or why? My heart goes out to the parents & family of Damien. I believe things exist that we know nothing about, yet they're known by those who continue to 🤐.

[@truthylucy7068]

@Tammy Allen No,I'm not talking about Aliens. We believe everything we've been told. About history, technology past & present, how the world works so to speak. Nothing is as it appears to be. The truth about everything has been kept from us. The quote " The whole world's a stage!" It couldn't be a more factual statement. Things exist that we we're never told about. We have technologies 30 years in advance we're just now becoming aware of. I believe there's portals that are inter dimensional. If your not familiar with any of this, you'll think I'm a kook.

[@truthylucy7068]

@Tammy Allen 🤗

[@Tikicat83]

Up to about the mid seventies Australia was a safe place to be in the bush. I and my pre-teenage mates spent nearly all our free hours in the great oudoors, on adventures. Parents trusted us and the "environment" (looking back that was a little nieve), with the key message being "be back by sunset". I got into difficulties, but my fate was otherwise to Damians. Even at 10 you were free to roam the bush. Logic says that this has absolutely nothing to do with any predator, abduction, murder, etc. Damian had the unlucky fate to either wander until exhausted or of hypothermia, or be bitten by a snake with fast acting venom, or (and most likely) he fell down a steep slope, into a deep ravine or fast flowing water course, probably unconcious (therefore no shout or scream).

[@redtobertshateshandles]

And we were taught about weirdos and what to do. None of this modern woke garbage. If you smelled a weirdo, he was one.

[@AthyDuGard]

I think the mine shaft theory could be a big contender, also.

[@sylvieshuu]

I think the most likely scenario is that Damian lost his footing and fell into the river. Really sad case. R.I.P. Damian; you are not forgotten.

[@louisejones5773]

What about the many others that have gone and are going missing in these national parks and forests? Most refuse to see it for what it is

[@winry2357]

@@louisejones5773 it’s mostly due to people who don’t know what they’re doing in the wilderness. My cousin worked as a forest rescue worker for a while and she was out daily looking for people who had wandered off the trail and gotten lost. Too many people go hiking with less than the essentials, so if they do get lost, they’re likelihood of surviving for more than a few days is unlikely unless rescue workers know exactly where they last were and have been notified quickly. Even then, if you get knocked out by a fall or attacked by an animal, you may not even notice that someone nearby is looking for you. Nature is dangerous, too many people treat it like a joke.

[@louisejones5773]

@@winry2357 if it was mostly due to people not knowing what they were doing, some of these bodies would be found and people would not appear to vanish into thin air. This is supernatural

[@winry2357]

@@louisejones5773 it really isn’t. People wander off trail, don’t pay attention to what direction or how far they go, they get disoriented from dehydration or elevation sickness or even hypothermia, then they make decisions that normal people wouldn’t. If this person is right and the kid fell into a river, he could’ve drowned and flowed down river quite a distance, then eaten by wild animals. It is super easy to vanish in the wilderness. It’s why you should always carry bright colored and/or reflective items along with matches. Many people go missing in natural colors (blue jeans, white shirt, green hoodie, etc) making it easier to miss them in the brush.

[@louisejones5773]

@@winry2357 no it really is. You need to research more. Where have you been? There's people that have been walking in front or behind a group of people...the people look off for a few seconds and that person vanishes. So yes alot of it is supernatural. You have people like yourself that are still ignorant to what's really going on in the world. I'm not. Places like national parks, forests, huge wooded areas are where the fallen hang out

[@lindaanderson6780]

As an Aussie, & being only 10 years old myself in 1974, I had never heard about this sad story, so thank you for sharing this Australian case. Again, I just have to say how much I love ur accent!

[@starwood213]

Hi, I'm an Aussie who was 12 years old at the time and remember most of the high profile missing children's cases. I can't remember this one at all. However as we know Australian bushland is extremely rugged and people can just wander off a trail and disappear. This has happened all too often in the Blue Mountains near Sydney. Very sad for the little boy and his family.

[@jenniferjacobs228]

I was living in Western Vic in 1974 as a young married mother, and I never heard of this. But back then, there was only tv and radio news, and that was pretty sketchy so I must have missed it. But I can't believe I have never heard about it in later years. That poor family. Those mine shafts are so dangerous. I hope the new investigation is successful.

[@mariawren771]

Wow, I was 4 days old when Damien went missing, nearly 48years gone by with no answers for the family must be heartbroken 😔

[@geminidream4347]

There is a tape called Recco Tape that you can put on your clothing that helps rescue helicopters greatly as it is picked up by their FLR cameras. If any parent is allowing their child out on a trip like this, I would highly recommend investing in it and putting on their clothes for the day! Also, for others who go out on trails or into woods, carry with you a personal locator beacon, it could save your life! Both of these items make great gifts for outdoor enthusiasts and equestrian riders as well should their horse toss them.

[@scottlaux6934]

Good idea.

[@geminidream4347]

@@scottlaux6934 Thank you Scott.

[@evelynwilson1566]

To me, it sounds like he's fallen in the river, or fallen down a mine. Even if he just fell in overgrown land he might be hard to spot. If the search team was inexperienced they could easily have missed a sign. If they found footprints by the river, assuming they WERE his, possibly he tried to cross the river and was washed away. Saying that I'm Scottish, so I'm basing my opinion on OUR landscape, I don't know Australia at all.

[@elizabeth1989]

I was thinking the same but they would have found his body somewhere further down in the river. I'm thinking he fell down an old mine or a hole used to trap animals. But If it was a hole they would have heard him calling out for help so the mine sounds more likely or he was simply abducted and killed by an opportunist.

[@charlesclager6808]

This case is very similar to other cases like this where a young boy or girl runs ahead of the group and disappears. Large searches, sniffer dogs etc. etc with no results. Damian most likely fell into the creek and drowned. Your delivery is great. I always look forward to your videos.

[@AnneLien1987]

Yes! I remember that case, I couldn't let that one go, such a strange case

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

That may not be the case I been thinking about this they remove all scent of the victims and by this way can make off with them easier

[@cyankirkpatrick5194]

@@sarah06ish They're are millions of cases just like this one. A girl named Bradbury she was among the milk carton missing back in the 80s and is related to the actor Rick S he was a child actor on Silver Spoons and now an adult actor

[@DIBZ111]

Exactly what I was thinking! If anyone is interested just Google "strange national park disappearances". It scared the shit out of me though so be warned. And all those stories are fairly well documented/investigated.

[@louisejones5773]

@Tammy Allen cases like these are supernational

[@meredithgreenslade1965]

Reminds me of the case of 10 y.o. Christopher Bannon who got lost while walking up St Mary's peak at Wilpena Pound Sth Australia in around 1960. For many decades he was never found. The boy made the mistake of continuing to walk instead of staying put and calling out. We were always told that if we got lost to sit down and wait. Whistle if you can but don't move. His brother Nicholas Bannon became a South Australian premier.

[@loriblythe6635]

These disappearances are so mind boggling. Sometimes I feel like there’s portals in the forests and that’s how people are disappearing. It sounds crazy but who knows.

[@misshoneychurch8153]

Check out the work of David Paulides.

[@VioletJoy]

And more likely, Damian either got lost or injured.

[@AverageAmerican]

@@VioletJoy It could be an alien abduction. Even though many people will not consider the possibility, that race is sub terrestrial enemies. They have a motive, the means, and they need but small windows of opportunities...

[@VioletJoy]

@@AverageAmerican It's more likely that he got lost or injured. Many people's remains are found many years later after getting lost in nature, which points towards accidents.

[@springray2323]

People don’t realize how dangerous the wilderness is and just how easy it is to get lost.

[@seandelap6268]

The thing is wild dogs aren't exactly silent so surely someone would have heard them if they were near that location.

[@CC3193]

I’m a lifelong Victorian, and personally I don’t recall news in my lifetime of a child being taken or killed by a wild dog or child cat within this state.

[@angiefarrar5]

Love this channel! Your voice is perfect and your passion for your content is evident. Great work 👍

[@BassGirlSusan1961]

Australia in the 1970's was a great time to be a teenager (as I was) however we had a lot of solved and unsolved crimes happening. I don't recall Damian's disappearance getting as much media coverage as Eloise Worledge who was abducted from her home in Victoria 2 years later receiving a huge amount of publicity but was never solved. Love your channel, so well researched and narrated.

[@sarah6557]

All her story's are very well covered and told she's brilliant 💯❤️👍😁

[@rationalbacon5872]

Yep, it was great, high trust, homogeneous society. Not anymore

[@julielevinge266]

Will never understand why some children get blanket coverage,but sadly most don’t???

[@julielevinge266]

Anytime is a great time to be a teenager in Australia ( I’d imagine)👍😀

[@CC3193]

Both Eloise’s parents and her brother have passed away, so her little sister is her only immediate family member remaining from the Worledge household.

[@janetpitts7302]

Now how can he just disappear because he went further ahead of the other boys??? This kinda stuff drives me crazy, I feel so bad for him and his family, thank you!!

[@AverageAmerican]

I don't think people disappear. Something happens to them!

[@alyciamarie4163]

@@AverageAmerican well obviously

[@AverageAmerican]

@@alyciamarie4163 Well, the question was, how can people disappear. Obviously, Humans don't vanish unless they are taken against their will, and never returned, it only looks like a disappearance.

[@spiritmatter1553]

Waterfalls, wilderness, point of separation, it’s turning into a CanAm Missing 411 story.

[@louisejones5773]

@@AverageAmerican this is supernational

[@CapsuleCorpxz]

Theyre aren't many 'animal scavengers' in that part of Australia that would make a body impossible to find. I would say that it is most likely he was taken. Also, the wild dogs and wild cats of the area would be closer to house cats and stray dogs. Not even dingos live in that area to my knowledge. We just don't have that kind of predator in this hills

[@michellecobb2158]

I think the predator had 2 legs 🇦🇺

[@apseudonym]

Yeah “wild cats” are really just feral domestic cats in Australia

[@anneloving8405]

Supposedly there is a small population of Jaguars in Australia, descendents of released circus animals,many reports of them,a friend of mine was driving at night and something crossed the road that wasn't a cat or a dog,he said it could have been a jaguar.

[@jonnylumberjack6223]

@@anneloving8405 Jaguars are literally the most shy big cat in the world. The chance of anyone seeing a jaguar, anywhere, is vanishingly small.

[@Rage_Harder_Then_Relax]

@@anneloving8405 I saw one too when I was driving at 3 in the morning on the Princes hwy near Labertouche in Victoria. It was definitely a big black cat the size of a panther.

[@obesetuna3164]

This sad case of this young boy disappearing on an organised excursion is a new one to me. But the Aussie bush can be an unforgiving place . Growing up in North Queensland around this time, us kids were left unsupervised to roam the scrub from morning until night. It was the same kind of freedom our parents had enjoyed. The place was alive with brown snakes, yet even the thought of wearing shoes was considered alien lol. Most of us survived to tell the tale.

[@tessaducek5601]

I know this was years ago. But children still run ahead and vanish. As restrictive and lame as it sounds. Groups and families with young children might use a light chain around each persons waist. These disappearances are mind boggling . I would opt for a body then years of torture not knowing. Talk about hell for the loved ones.

[@gingersnap7822]

Maybe it's because I was born in the 90s, but I really cannot fathom letting a lone boy run ahead of a hiking group, out in the wilderness, on a potentially dangerous trail. When I was a counselor kids were never allowed out of our sight, especially when we were hiking.

[@jareknowak8712]

Same here. Born in the 80s.

[@99fruitbat94]

I was born in 1960 and living in a rural part of Scotland roamed around all over by the age of 9 , frequently by myself . Different times I guess . Only real rules were don't go off with strangers and be back once the street lamps in the village come on .

[@nadinewilliams6465]

Yes as a Girl Scout our leader was very careful. One leader or Adult was in front, one or 2 in back. Often someone like my Grama might come and so someone would've been in the middle. We also answered to a "sound off". Yelling out our names as a count was done. This was done numerous times depending on the length of the hike.

[@nadinewilliams6465]

@@99fruitbat94 yes the street light rule. Knew it well in the '70s and '80s.

[@gingersnap7822]

@@nadinewilliams6465 Exactly! This isn't just farmland or the local surroundings- it was a very rugged mountain range. I don't think the camp counselors intended for him to come to harm, but I think they were severely negligent in their duties. Adults should have been at the head and rear of the hike, and absolutely no-one should have been allowed past them.

[@apseudonym]

Steavenson falls and Marysville are beautiful but since the recent bushfires ten or so years ago the whole area feels heavy and eerie due to the large number of deaths and destruction that occurred. But even before that it was a little creepy. 14 years ago a bushwalker went missing in the Yarra Ranges and was never seen again, there were reports of gunfire so it's possible that he stumbled across an illegal marijuana plantation and was killed. Additionally the area is pretty vast with rugged terrain in general so people can and will go missing.

[@rationalbacon5872]

Also let's not forget, most who go missing are children, city folk or foreigners who simply aren't familiar with the Aussie bush.

[@naomisgram1]

So tragic and mysterious. When my daughter was young we occasionally did some hiking, and we stressed to her that she must never run ahead of us for that very reason. If she had her dad would have caught her quickly and brought her back. It’s too easy once you get off a trail to get tuned around and not be able to find the trail again.

[@cosmic-st4rdust]

Have just found this channel and really enjoyed it! However I am curious if the narrator was different from the early videos? In the newer videos the narrator has obvious vocal fry.

[@jjames6552]

Thought was just me. I have to 1.25 it to tolerate!

[@cosmic-st4rdust]

@@jjames6552 thank you for the tips!

[@LindaJones-uk6ee]

Very sad Never having any answers to the loss of a family member has got to be excruciatingly painful. No closure, no answers , no one to answer them.

[@moominesque6081]

I really enjoy your channel. There seems to be innumerable cases of children going missing on camping trips. It appears that those in charge are rarely well trained in health and safety, or in understanding how a group of young people might behave. I suspect he ran off in his own world of adventure and got lost, but nobody noticed. So sad to think of him waiting for help to come, but it never did.

[@karawilliamson106]

That poor family… no answers… no clues… nothing…💔💔💔💔💔💔💔

[@NatureLover-62]

Your stories are always intriguing and not well known. You search the world for subject matter that pulls at the heart strings every time. I hope that Damian’s family has found some peace, though I imagine not knowing must be agonizing. Damien seemed to be a happy and delightful child! I know that he must be missed.

[@nitakate10]

Rule number one camping, never seperate from the tribe. Poor boy. I blame the excursion teacher

[@Bee-ly4gx]

Heartbreaking case.

[@DamianMaisano]

Can’t help but feel a particular sympathy with someone who shares the uncommon name and also enjoyed the outdoor. . . Such a weird case, especially with the conflicting reports of how he ran off. Poor kid was either taken or he just kept going being missed by all the rescuers. Hard to say what might have been worse.

[@sebastianelytron8450]

Someone on that trip knows something. There was a coverup by those in charge.

[@jareknowak8712]

Quite popular name in Poland.

[@mirianakovachevic748]

I noticed Damian bacame very popular name among Serbs in last few years. It wasn't common before.

[@martyt518]

I have a son named Damian. Born in 1984.

[@stevenhulbert7540]

There are several cases over the years of kids and adults separating from the others and disappearing. Who were the kids not involved in the group that he went with? The weather change during the search is a recurring theme as well and why are there so many conflicting reports about how he ran off? thanks for presenting this case.

[@helenaolsson7990]

I guess the poor boy fell into the river and was swept away. We had a case here in Sweden with a film director who vanished without a trace when he took a walk around the shore on an island. He probably fell from the cliffs into the ocean. But we will never know unless his remains will be washed up on the shore line again. 😢

[@cubby091398]

It is strange how Damian's footprints seized. Over 100 years ago a young man named Charles went to get water for his family. It was cold and snowing and he never came back. His footprints ended near the waterfall he got the water from. It makes you wonder if they just evaporated or something weird like that. 8 have had strange occurrences happen to me over the past 4 or so yours and I cannot explain it.

[@eydie57]

It sounds like the poor kid just fell into a place where he couldn't be heard like one of the mines or the water. I don't feel like there's any crime here, just a horrible accident. It's every parent's worst nightmare for sure.

[@holly70hk]

Thank you D.C. for this sad yet informative case...no matter how old the cases are the missing need to stay in the public eye...thank you again

[@cherryblossom415]

Thank you for all your hard work I know it's not easy.

[@SpearFisher85]

This is a very pure statement that expresses my opinions about a lot of channels lately. Thanks for all the hard work everybody!

[@pamelacooke489]

Hi, I live at n Tasmania, what child murders are you referring to? Do you have details please? Thanks!

[@ms.krueger2660]

Breaks my heart 💔😢. I have sons. His poor parents. I can’t imagine the not knowing. He would be 57 ! 😢

[@johannas.l.brushane2518]

It shouldn't be difficult to get in touch with the other kids as long as it's getting attention, they likely have not forgotten the disappearance. On one hand time may have erased some details but on the other hand, the children growing older may have them viewing things differently, details a kid wouldn't see as noteworthy but maybe be peculiar to a grown up?

[@meem7283]

Totally agree!!! When you grow into a adult and experience more of life and start thinking back on your childhood things can have way more/different meaning to them than they did when you were young. Would love to know what those kids would have to say about it now.

[@JoyTheLazyCatLady]

If it was an animal, wouldn't they have heard growls and screams? I think he fell in an old mine. Whatever happened, I hope he didn't suffer. RIP Damian.

[@Eyeling]

I personally agree with the theory he fell in a goldmine. These aren't the mines you see in Minecraft or a cartoon. They are deep holes that go straight down. I've seen them, and almost fallen into one. Its very easy to miss them, because they often have plants and grass growing around the edge and concealing them.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

I remember an American kid who fell in an old well. A policeman working on a hunch found the kid. He examined the area where the kid was last seen. He found an item belonging to the kid and found the well overgrown and virtually invisible.

[@cazkellie]

This is near where I live haven't heard about this, thank you 💗

[@terriseaton3049]

Maybe you will be the one to see him & unite him with his family!

[@danielbrown1724]

I just love your accent. I’m British so you’d think I’d be used to a Scottish accent but living over here in the States has me missing people from the UK I could listen to you all day 💜💜💜

[@Bambisgf77]

Being an American from the Deep South now living in the Midwest, I can relate to this so much. I enjoy my new home but when I hear southern accents it pulls on my heart!

[@mrsTraveller64]

Of you listen to other stories of disappeared children in the forests and nationalparks,they all start/ends in the same way; the child runs before the group, they lose sight of him for a couple of minutes and the child is never seen again. Don't allow children to run before you,even though it sounds silly, stay as a group, every minute, no playing hide and seek,no competitions of who reaches the top first,no running down hills, unless there are no bushes or trees and you can see the child every second clearly. Another thing: give each child a pipe to whistle in, if they are in danger, even if they have time to whistle just one time,it might be enough forthesearchers, to know the child realized he/she was in danger,and the direction his whistling was heard from. Make sure the child understands that it's an emergency-pipe, not a toy.

[@pris0ner717]

Animal predation is unlikely since sniffer dogs picked up no scent. You have extreme weather event disappearance shortly after a point of separation and no remains after many decades, shoes, belts, zippers, don't disappear.

[@thegreatalyssa]

Based on the information in the video and what the elders and others taught us Indigenous American children… this is a case where he went through a portal. Sometimes remains can be found later.

[@jjames6552]

All the kids on these trips should each wear a GPS bracelet. One that cannot be removed until they return. Same for National Park visitors.

[@spiritmatter1553]

Like a personal locator beacon? Don’t think they had those in the 1970’s.

[@alienesang1492]

This poor family 😩 I can’t even imagine 😭😭😭😭

[@shendaraalshedir1933]

Look at that little face, bright eyes & impish smile looking ever so proud with what is probably school sports ribbons pinned on him. Just how sick and depraved you HAVE to be to interfere with or hurt this kind of innocence, l hope to never find out. I bet he lit up the room he was in & lit up the lives of his family, poor little mite, just heart💔 breaking. Rest In Peace little sweet Damian. 🌹😔🌹. 🇨🇦

[@hjsed5474]

I can't imagine what this family and community went through. It is horrible to think about. I don't know the area or the circumstances, but here goes. What if there was someone in a boat? A predator would be quick in thought. Anyway. What if he asked Damien for help in securing the boat on Land? That may explain his footprints just stopping. The person could have just put him in the boat and maybe knocked him out in some way. The other ideas would surely have had him yelling? Just an idea that explains why there were no other footprints. As I don't know anything about the area, I don't know if the river was such that this could happen, anything is possible under the right conditions.

[@donnablack6280]

There would be evidence of an animal attack, and the dogs would have been more likely to track him in that case. Where the footprints end sounds like one for David Paulides.

[@xenia367]

It’s strange I was a young mother at the time and I don*t remember this case at all. How very awful for his family.

[@jonnylumberjack6223]

There are no wild cat species in Australia. I'm sure there are feral cats but I've never heard of feral cats killing anyone, even a small boy!

[@melaniejackson8187]

WOW... 🙀...I LIVE IN VICTORIA.!!! BUT; IN 74 I WAS STILL A BABY. NEVER HEARD OF THIS CASE B4. THANKYOU FOR SHEDDING LIGHT ON THIS CASE... 💗🇦🇺😻

[@a.morrigan5870]

Wild cats? Nope, they are feral cats, a bit larger than a domestic cat. Not a danger to even a child. Wild dogs would be in at least a small pack, and they would be more likely to scavenge rather than attack a child. Also there is the noise factor and sign would have been left. I would more inclined to think mine shaft, a fall in the river or human intervention. Poor boy and poor family, just tragic not knowing.

[@julielevinge266]

So glad to see this channel steadily growing, very well deserved✊♥️ (Sounds like a missing 411)

[@Bebecat477]

This is so odd. How the heck far ahead did he get??? But they also can only go on what is told by those present.

[@RoadCone411]

Looking at this without all of the details is very hard, and one person's opinion is just as good as another's. There are key details we don't really know, like did he walk off alone or with somebody? What was his relationship that morning with his counselors and friends? (10 year olds can be impulsive.) How long was it from the last time he was confirmed alive until it was noticed he was missing? An hour? More? A lot can happen in that time. The most likely possibilities are he got into an argument and walked off (and then became lost or attacked by animals), he was stalked and/or abducted, or he fell and was swept away. Not the only possible things that could have happened but each theory has its own merits and problems. Hopefully some of the other hikers and counselors from this trip come forward to help the investigation, however it is unlikely to yield any new leads after 50 years.

[@mariateresamondragon5850]

I enjoy this channel immensely. You do a good job and I love your voice/accent. The stag and thistle design is beautiful. I can't decide which of the merch I want to purchase.

[@johnlydon545]

Who was the predators you spoke of can you name them. P.s. it's called bush not brush here in Australia.

[@jeremyt2212]

Am I the only one who's particularly bothered by the fact that there were so many conflicting accounts of what exactly happened in the moment of Damian's disappearance from the group? He ran off alone, or with a few of the other kids, or with a couple of older boys? You'd think that anyone who witnessed that moment would remember it distinctly, as significant as that detail would end up being in the case.

[@pygiana16]

There are often differing versions of the same event from different view points. There is rarely one distinct version with complete consensus.

[@apseudonym]

That's not really how human memory works. It's been established that eyewitness accounts almost always vary due to bias and interpretation. Memory isn't like a video recording. You really only remember things that stuck out to you before the fact.

[@Plumsacccy]

Hello. I'm from Dunfermline, I live downunder now. Where is your accent from?

[@seandelap6268]

They really shouldn't have allowed him to wonder off from the group like that a child that young shouldn't be let out of your sites sure even experienced hikers can get into trouble let alone a young child.

[@Tempe1962]

Poor kid.Something happened to him but we shall never know. I dont think he was kidnapped. I think he either fell in the water as his footprints were there or he got lost and died.

[@polarbear1754]

4:35 These searchers get around... about the 5th video I've seen them in. Must be "professional volunteers" 🤔

[@joycampi7233]

I was looking for someone to comment about that! Did you also do the same in previous videos? As I recall, I gave a thumbs up on that one too!!! Lololololol

[@polarbear1754]

@@joycampi7233 the last one I watched with them I commented.I can't remember the case.

[@planetoidmedia8486]

i wouldnt put past that damian died by accident due to a dare or a school yard game gone wrong, i believe that class or some kids in that class know more

[@montanamountainmen6104]

Two scenarios could have been plausible. The boy could have fallen into the river and drown . Or fallen into a mine shaft and hence never found.

[@karenk3458]

Wow, poor little guy. I hope is family finds answers times a ticking!

[@notsureiL]

The Australian wilderness is filled with dangerous animals. If he was kidnapped I think someone would have seen or heard something

[@keishabonner7309]

No WILD animals did this! You would have seen bones, or vultures and insects hovering around. Some WICKED entity did this, but even if HE was never caught, rest assured he is roasting in HELL as we speak---God DOES not sleep and knows EXACTLY what HE did. RIP Damian 🌹🌹🌹

[@Jacob-Sophia]

I hope I’m not being disrespectful by saying this is the kind of stuff that inspires myth and legend. I can absolutely imagine if this story wasn’t real that it was some modern fantasy with a monster or Pied Piper style character luring children.

[@spiritmatter1553]

You don’t sound disrespectful at all!

[@Jacob-Sophia]

@@spiritmatter1553 Thanks

[@nursejackie8872]

The truth is stranger than fiction sometimes.

[@Remnants_]

I don’t know if it’s always been this way, but Stevenson falls is part of the towns drinking water. One would assume that makes it less likely that he could have fallen in & never been found. These days it’s a popular tourist area, even just for victorians to travel to. I’ve been there on a cold & wet day, while it was raining & we were far from the only ones on the lower trail. It’s hard to imagine someone could go missing or to be taken there, but I don’t doubt that it was different back in those days though. Thanks for coving this case! I’d never heard of it. Hopefully there’s some closure with this investigation.

[@abigailfreeman715]

It’s like William Tyrrell. Running around, and vanished.

[@RobinMarconeCassidyRN]

Enjoy this channel..I like that these cases aren't repeats.

[@NoJusticeNoPeace]

A balloon? "We float down here, Damian. We all float."

[@debbieanne7962]

I've lived in Victoria all my life and never heard of this disappearance. Have been to the area where it happened which is extremely rugged and dangerous. I believe he either was swept away, went down the waterfalls or fell in to an old mine shaft. IMO we'll never know because there would be nothing left of the body

[@stephaniehunter3251]

Why would they let two boys who weren't with the.group.remain with. Them

[@KJKFORYOU]

Very well covered.

[@prudencepineapple9448]

Of all crimes, children going missing without a trace would be near the top of the list.

[@louisejones5773]

This, like so many of these cases in national parks and forests, is supernational

[@saibliss7976]

Ten year olds don't usually skip away into the brush excitedly from their friend group. He also seems shy and did they look closely into the adults leading the camp who were there at the time?🤔🤔🤔

[@chrisbarry6217]

Is it mandated nowadays for each to carry a hand held loud fog horn and a strong torch that can shoot up a beam of light.

[@sunhikermutt6797]

Excellent coverage

[@KohalaLover]

Sweet boy. Hope Valentine and Stephen can resolve this sad story. RIP Damian

[@ellieantar809]

Children on trips must be supervised!!!!!

[@kathleenkeane4364]

The group leader should have a time line,how long before it was realized he was missing ? was he able to swim? Prayers to family.

[@Puccini1966]

Perfect voice 👌, and well presented... the only niggle I have is that I keep seeing the same clip of the 'four people searching with high visibility jackets', and the one with the 'girl searching with the dog'... these two clips keep getting recycled by True Crime channels and videos! Other than that I am loving the channel. Blessings... Puccini

[@A.Girl.Has.No.Name.]

I had the exact same thought yesterday on another video, and wondered if I was weird for noticing. So either I'm not weird, or you are too! 😁

[@spiritmatter1553]

At 7:19, I saw a clip of two women I’ve seen elsewhere.

[@beez5338]

Terribly irresponsible to let a child out of sight.

[@mimipledgure7138]

CAN YOU PLEASE DO THE HEARTBREAKING AUSTRALIAN CASE OF PETER ASHTON ..

[@mrsTraveller64]

If they shouted out his name that first hour when he vanished, Damien should have heard it, as it was in the mountains and it would have echoed all around. That's why it seems more like he was not able to shout back. For some strange resson, weather because he was abducted or dead.

[@michhaynes7272]

I hope they get answers and it's a great idea to teach children survival skills there especially or anywhere with alot of areas of wilderness near by. X

[@BistraVoda87]

Love your channel ❣️

[@cindycarr3460]

RIP DAMIAN🙏❤️🙏

[@acegoldengloves1133]

For once I’m 1st 😂 woohoo 🥳 I’ve wanted to hear about this story as well so added bonus! Loving your videos 😊 ❤️ PEACE ✌️

[@sandypawz645]

Thank you great share!👍