This year is the 25th anniversary of National Missing Persons Week, an annual event to raise awareness of missing people in our community and encourage those with information about them to come forward.

This week is a chance to recognise missing persons who have been located, remember those still lost and continue efforts to raise awareness and support the community.

This year’s campaign focuses on people living with a mental illness as a key group in the community most at risk of going missing.  

The campaign message - ‘See the signs before they disappear’ - encourages people to learn the potential warnings signs that someone they know isn’t coping and seek help.

In January 2011 45-year-old Darren Royce Willis, known by all as ‘Spaz’ was formally reported missing.

He was last seen in Bingara in early December 2010. He was expected to return home but has not been sighted since.  

A police spokesperson said there had been reported sightings of Mr Willis in Tamworth as recently as September 2011.

“Police hold concerns for Mr Willis’ welfare. He was known for doing walkabouts without notifying people and his family want to know that he is alright. 

“Police have concerns without any significant information that he may have come to grief somewhere,” the spokesperson said.

“All inquiries have failed to shed any light on where he might be.”

Darren Willis, who would now be 48, is described as of Caucasian appearance, 198cm tall, slim build, with brown hair and blue eyes. 

His disappearance is being investigated by Barwon LAC Detectives.

Anyone who knows of Darren’s whereabouts or anyone who can assist with information should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Police say even the tiniest piece of information could help them.