Human remains discovered in the remote Australian Outback have been formally identified as belonging to a young man who vanished during a road trip eight years ago, bringing a sombre conclusion to a prolonged and distressing mystery.
A disappearance on New Year's Eve
Jayden Penno-Tompsett, aged 22 at the time, was last seen on New Year's Eve in 2017. He was observed running into dense bushland near a roadhouse on Thompson Street, close to Charters Towers in North Queensland. Penno-Tompsett and his friend, Lucas Tattersall, were travelling from Newcastle to Cairns to celebrate the New Year with friends, a journey intended to last three days.
The trip took a tragic turn following an argument between the two travellers. Reports indicate that Penno-Tompsett was under the influence of drugs and behaving in what was described as an erratic and unpredictable manner, reportedly because he could not locate his drug stash shortly before he fled into the wilderness.
The extensive search operation
A multi-agency land search was launched on January 3, 2018, shortly after Penno-Tompsett was reported missing. Despite thorough efforts across the challenging terrain, no trace of the 22-year-old was found for eight long years, leaving his family and friends in a state of agonising uncertainty.
In 2021, a coronial inquest was conducted into his disappearance. The inquest concluded that Penno-Tompsett had likely died from exposure to the harsh Outback elements, though this provided little concrete closure for his loved ones without physical evidence.
DNA confirmation brings answers
On Monday, Queensland Police confirmed that human remains discovered on a rural property in Breddan, near Charters Towers, on October 20, 2025, have been identified as those of Jayden Penno-Tompsett. The remains were transported to Brisbane for detailed forensic DNA analysis, which supported findings that the remains were indeed those of the missing man.
A second coronial investigation into his death is currently ongoing. Authorities have stated that the matter is not being treated as suspicious, indicating no foul play is suspected in connection with his demise.
Family response and public reaction
A social media page dedicated to finding Penno-Tompsett announced that his family, including his mother Rachel, had been informed of the discovery. The page stated: Whilst this isn't the outcome we were praying for, we are grateful Jay has finally been found. It appealed for privacy for the grieving family during this profoundly difficult period.
Hundreds of commenters expressed their condolences and relief that the family had finally received some answers after years of waiting. One wrote: Rest in peace now kiddo, you have been found, while another offered: Rachel my heart goes out to you. You may now bring your boy home and lay him to rest.
The identification marks the end of an eight-year mystery, providing a tragic yet definitive resolution for Penno-Tompsett's family and friends, who can now begin the process of laying their loved one to rest with the certainty that eluded them for so long.
