Two months after the discovery of a child’s shoe and pieces of clothing during a mine search for the remains of missing Maryborough boy Terry Floyd, his family is still waiting for results of forensic testing.
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The shoe, a cardigan cuff and elastic from children’s underwear, all similar to what Terry, 12, was wearing when he disappeared 45 years ago, were sent to Victoria Police for testing immediately have being found.
However, Terry’s brother Daryl, who is conducting the extensive search of the disused gold mine near Avoca for the remains of Terry, says he is frustrated by the lack of news from investigating police.
And now a press stud from a shirt, also believed to be similar to that worn by Terry before his disappearance, has been found at the Bung Bong mine, adding further hope to the Floyd family that the mine is the final resting place for the young boy.
“I sent the shoe, the cardigan cuff and the underwear elastic to police for testing as soon as we found them. But, months later, I’m still waiting to hear if (police) received them,” Mr Floyd said.
In a three-line response to The Courier’s inquiry about the testing and the investigation, a Victoria Police media spokesperson said: “Police are aware of the finding of a shoe. Police do not know if it is related at this stage. The investigation remains active.”
The press stud was found with a metal detector during screening of soil and debris removed from the mine by massive machinery donated for the search.
Last month Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews pledged to further fund the mine search. During a telephone conversation in mid-September, Mr Andrews told Mr Floyd to concentrate on the mine search and “don’t worry about fundraising for the excavation”.
The state government will give further funding towards looking for the remains of Terry, who disappeared, believed murdered, from the side of the road at the intersection of Sunraysia and Pryrenees highways on June 28, 1975.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.