Main content

A decade without Dan: The search for my brother gave me purpose

Loren O'Keeffe spent years searching the vastness of Australia for her brother Dan who vanished a decade ago. She now works to help families of other long-term missing persons.

On the 15th of July, 2011, 24-year-old Dan O’Keeffe went missing from his parents’ home in the state of Victoria, Australia.

The family reported him missing but as there were no suspicious circumstances it wasn’t classed as a priority by the police and so Dan’s sister, Loren quit her job and led the long and gruelling search to try and find him, bringing together thousands of strangers along the way through the social media campaign, Dan Come Home.

It would be almost five years before Dan’s body was discovered close to the family home where he was last seen.

A decade since his disappearance Loren O’Keeffe has now dedicated her life to supporting the families of other long-term missing persons across Australia, using her own experience, knowledge and resources she has founded a charity called the Missing Persons Advocacy Network, which creates awareness for missing persons and supports those who are left behind.

If you've been affected by any of the issues discussed in this programme the ´óÏó´«Ã½ action line has a list of organisations offering support. Just look online for bbc.co.uk/actionline.

Image: Dan O'Keeffe at the beach
Credit: Loren O'Keeffe

Presenter: Anu Anand
Producer: Thomas Harding Assinder

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Available now

41 minutes

Last on

Fri 16 Jul 2021 02:06GMT

Broadcasts

  • Thu 15 Jul 2021 11:06GMT
  • Thu 15 Jul 2021 17:06GMT
  • Fri 16 Jul 2021 02:06GMT

Contact Outlook

Contact Outlook

Info on how we might use your contribution on air

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Podcast: Lives Less Ordinary

Step into someone else’s life and expect the unexpected