General News
24 July, 2023
Private investigator seeking local information on the disappearance of Terry Floyd
Areas of interest include the Pyrenees Highway roadside opposite the Avoca Swimming Pool where Terry was last seen. A group of private investigators will take statements from witnesses and anyone with information about Maryborough boy Terry...
Areas of interest include the Pyrenees Highway roadside opposite the Avoca Swimming Pool where Terry was last seen.
A group of private investigators will take statements from witnesses and anyone with information about Maryborough boy Terry Floyd’s disappearance next week as Daryl Floyd makes an impassioned plea for information about his brother.
A group of investigators headed by retired homicide detective Charlie Bezzina will spend four days in the area next week to gather statements and evidence in relation to Terry’s disappearance in 1975.
It comes after a request from Daryl Floyd for Victoria Police to release the case file to Mr Bezzina was denied.
Investigators believe that information provided in October 2021 is the “missing piece of the puzzle” and are particularly interested to hear statements and information from those who have previously reported to police.
“Information that Daryl has been able to gain over the years has now culminated in new information coming to hand,” Mr Bezzina said.
“Based on that, I will be now taking statements from additional witnesses and previous witnesses.
“I, as an investigator and Daryl as a family member, are bewildered as to why access to the investigation file hasn’t been granted.”
Mr Bezzina said there are “two firm” suspects in the matter and if enough information can be found, investigators will call for a new coronial hearing.
“We’re making a plea to anybody that may have information that could be useful to us to make contact with us,” he said.
“Once we have gathered information, I’ll be putting in a report on the results of the investigation and where we want to go from that point onwards.
“Given that we have two firm suspects that have been identified we need the assistance of cold case to further the investigation on those specific suspects.
“Failing that, we’re looking to make an application for another coronial hearing into the matter.”
Terry Floyd was just 12 when he disappeared, last seen on the side of the Pyrenees Highway on June 28, 1975.
While the boy has never been found, Victoria Police Homicide Squad detectives reopened the investigation into Terry’s disappearance in 2000 and in 2001, a coroner determined the boy had been abducted and murdered.
There is a standing $1 million reward offered by police for information that could crack the case.
Daryl believes this is the biggest step taken to date in trying to get answers about his brother.
“As family members, we’ve always been told a cold case of this magnitude could only be a phone call away from being solved,” he said.
“We believe that Victoria Police got that phone call back in October 2021 and unfortunately have yet to act on it.
“I’m very disappointed with Victoria Police’s response in relation to our request but realistically, it’s not unexpected for me because this is what it’s been like for the last four decades.
“We will be acting on that information and as far as I’m concerned, this investigation is now something Mr Bezzina will be handling going forward as a private investigator.”
Mr Floyd said he was calling on the community’s help and support one more time and is “desperate” to speak with anyone who has information.
“We’d really like anyone to come forward with any information — no matter how small or trivial — especially in relation to the time Terry was last seen at around 5 pm when he was directly opposite the Avoca Swimming Pool,” he said.
“We’re also interested to know if anyone noticed anything around 6 pm in the Davy/Barnett streets area of Avoca.
“I know it’s a long time ago but what we’re finding is that people did come forward with information but that has been lost or not followed up.
“If anyone did come forward back then and feel their information wasn’t followed up, we urge them to get in touch and we are desperate to hear from them.
“We now believe we have the missing piece of this puzzle, but we want everyone to help us put it together.”
Investigators will be in the area from this Thursday and anyone with information is encouraged to contact them at findingterryfloyd@gmail.com
Investigators are eager to hear from those with information relating to the Barnett and Davy streets area at around 6 pm on the day of Terry’s disappearance.