Magician Daniel Hidden has been found dead in a remote area of Australia's bushland following an intense search operation involving the military and drones. His body was discovered around 11am on Wednesday 24 June after a search and rescue mission in the bushland of Mount Cougal National Park in Currumbin Valley, located in the Gold Coast hinterland.
Disappearance and Search Efforts
The entertainer had been missing since 14 June, last seen leaving his Queensland home at 3am. His death is not being treated as suspicious and Queensland Police are continuing their investigation, with a post-mortem examination scheduled for today. Friends reported that he was heading towards the Springbrook area for a camping trip at the time of his disappearance. He was towing a caravan with his silver Hyundai Santa Fe.
However, it has been reported that his phone was switched off on the day he disappeared and reported missing, triggering a large-scale search operation, reports the Express. Two days into the search, police located his car and caravan near the remote bushland area Currumbin Creek Rd.
Family's Emotional Plea
Throughout the search operation his family remained at the site. His mother made a heartfelt plea for his safe return in a moving message shared with 7News on Monday 22 June. She expressed her belief that her son was still alive. His brother also said that the area where Daniel disappeared was one of his favourite spots: "He's got the coordinates of a spot in this place tattooed on his fingers. So it means a lot to him."
Career as a Deception Artist
Daniel had branded himself as "a deception artist" and his website described him as "an astonishing new breed of magician who is taking magic to the next level and bringing the art into the 21st century." The post continued: "Inspired by the very best ones in the industry like Derren Brown and David Blaine, he creates his own original routines of outstanding deceptions presented by a unique a saucy showmanship." His performance encompassed "mentalism, stunts, impossible feats and illusions and razor-sharp sleight of hand." The website continued to say that his interactive performances "provide a crowd-pleasing experience that will leave the audience talking about the mysteries and fun for days and weeks to come."
