A BROTHER'S MISSION: Daryl Floyd holds up a picture of his brother Terry, believed murdered, who went missing in 1975.
THE search for a Maryborough boy believed murdered and dumped down a disused mine shaft in 1975 will resume next month.Twelve-year-old Terry James Floyd vanished from the intersection of the Sunraysia and Pyrenees highways, near Avoca, on June 28, 1975.His brother, Daryl Floyd, was 10 when Terry disappeared.He has spent $50,000 on the excavation of an old gold mine shaft at Bung Bong Hill, 500 metres from where Terry was last seen.Mr Floyd believes Terry’s body lies in the shaft, with new clues recovered in the dig, which started in October, convincing him the mystery is close to being solved. “We’ve pulled some interesting stuff already and I’m sure we will keep finding some interesting parts when we start back up again in August,” Mr Floyd said. “I can’t be 100 per cent sure, but I am 99.8 per cent sure that this is where we will find Terry.”Mr Floyd is confident a silver chain pulled from the shaft in November belonged to his brother.The necklace was sent away to forensics, but due to the time period that has passed DNA testing proved inconclusive.Mr Floyd has also refused to discount a red Miller’s shirt found in rubbish dating back to the early 1980s belonged to Terry.“Terry had a red Miller’s shirt and a blue Miller’s shirt,” Mr Floyd said. “I’m under the belief that he had a blue Miller’s shirt on when he went missing and it was a red Miller’s shirt that we found, but that’s still not to discount it.”Mr Floyd said work at the mine stopped in March to allow the miners to meet other commitments. The break also allowed him to save money after funds for the excavation, which included a $50,000 contribution from Victoria Police, ran out at the 53-metre mark.Mr Floyd thanked the many businesses and individuals who have donated their services, money and equipment.“People all over have contributed in one way, shape or form,” Mr Floyd said. “For us, the main drive is to find Terry’s body and give him the burial and the respect he deserves.”Victoria Police have offered a $100,000 reward to anyone who can help solve the mystery. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or visit www.crimestoppers.com.au Mr Floyd said anyone who would like to donate towards the excavation could call him on 0402 125 551.
