SOMEONE KNOWS SOMETHING: Family call for urgency over the disappearance of Wilson Douglas Speedy
The Disappeared Project has called on any community members around Brisbane, Inala, and Cherbourg to come forward if they have seen 18-year-old Wilson Speedy. His family have concerns for his welfare.
Hello everyone,
Today, I have a special request. Over the past year, I’ve been working with colleagues in founding The Disappeared Project, which is a First Nations-led ‘missing persons’ organisation focused on helping Indigenous families who have loved ones disappeared. This week, I’m putting a call-out for anyone who has any information regarding the disappearance of Wilson Douglas George Speedy, 18, who has not been seen for nine weeks. He was last officially seen in West End police station in Brisbane, and it has been three and a half months since his family have spoken to him.
If you have any further information please contact:
Police Link on 131 444
amy@blackwitness.com or
contact The Disappeared Project at this link.
It’s been three and a half months since Marj Speedy has heard from her 18-year-old nephew Wilson Douglas George Speedy since he left his hometown of Hervey Bay on Butchulla country with only his clothes and phone.
Wilson Douglas George Speedy is currently missing, last seen in West End in May.
That was on March 24 this year.
It was only through social media that she found out he had made his way down to Brisbane.
Wilson left home without telling her, with only the clothes on his back, and his phone and charger. He doesn’t have a bank card, or any further identification.
Since then, there has been silence, and no one in the family has heard from him.
Wilson has lived with Marj for 11 years under a kinship care arrangement, and he was still living at her house in Hervey Bay after turning 18 in November last year.
Marj describes her nephew as loving, caring and always ready for a laugh.
Wilson has one brother and three sisters. He is particularly close to his older brother and his sister Sasha, who he usually keeps in touch with while going out on drives or to other places like the movies.
“That’s what is so out of character,” Marj told Black Witness. “I always knew where he was every time.”
In particular, she says, having no contact with his sister Sasha is unusual, as he was always in touch with her by text or phone call.
This changed about a month before leaving Hervey Bay.
“His siblings both miss him so much and they are extremely worried for his safety and well being,” Marj says.
“He also has family in Moree who have also reached out and are extremely worried.
“Wilson is loved by so many of his family and friends”
“It is not usual for him to even leave Hervey Bay.”
For the past three and a half months, Marj’s phone calls to Wilson have gone unanswered. His phone is now disconnected.
Wilson has not posted on social media, and his family do not know whether he has accessed his bank account.
And there is also another reason why his family are so concerned.
“Wilson has been diagnosed with disabilities,” Marj says. “He is significantly vulnerable due to his disability and mental health”.
Wilson has a family history of schizophrenia, and in the past has had manic episodes.
He is a high risk disappearance, and vulnerable not only due to his age and disability, but also because his last known location is Brisbane, four hours drive from Hervey Bay.
“If Wilson is not well he would talk to and go with anyone, he would feel like he’s superman fearless and could put himself in unsafe places not his usual behaviours,” Marj says.
Also causing concern is the fact Wilson does not know Brisbane very well.
(Wilson, his sister Sasha and aunty Marj Speedy)
In May, Marj posted Wilson as a missing person over Facebook, and then three days later, reported him missing to the Warwick police station.
Within 24 hours of the post being on Facebook, Wilson and another Aboriginal woman walked into West End police station.
The woman told the police she would make contact with Marj, but she has yet to call. The officer on duty has said that Wilson appeared healthy at the time.
But that was ten weeks ago, and there have been no further sightings of Wilson, and no one has spoken to him.
There have also been no sightings of the woman, who has previously lived in Inala.
And so, as days have grown upon days, Marjorie and other members of his family have grown increasingly concerned for his welfare.
Marj has asked the Hervey Bay police to conduct welfare checks, and has also contacted Police Link, but she feels the police have not treated her nephew’s disappearance with the urgency needed.
In Hervey Bay, they had informed her that “he was 18, he has a right to disappear”, which troubled her because although he is an adult, he is vulnerable and has come from a background of trauma where he needs assistance.
It was only until she contacted her local MP in Hervey Bay that she felt the police began taking the matter seriously.
Members of the family have traveled down to Brisbane, and community members are urged to be on the lookout for Wilson particularly around West End, the Brisbane CBD, and as far as Cherbourg, where Wilson has family connections.
The Disappeared Project’s Kevin Yow Yeh is assisting the family, and has urged community members to send any information either to Police Link or to The Disappeared Project.
“Someone knows something, and any piece of information can help us find Wilson,” Mr Yow Yeh said.
“It is important for our community to come together with urgency. He is deeply loved and cared for by his family.
“It has been thirteen years since another Aboriginal person - Monique Clubb - was disappeared. She was also from Hervey Bay, and was last seen in Brisbane.
“Monique’s family has shown us how important it is to keep searching, and to act with urgency.”
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Share the post via social media, and circulate the flyer.
If you are in the Brisbane CBD, Inala or Cherbourg regions, keep a look out for Wilson.
Contact Police Link or the Disappeared Project.
