Body Found After 14-Day Search for Missing Man in Darwin’s East Point Reserve

A large-scale search for a missing Northern Territory man has ended in tragedy, with police confirming a body has been found in bushland at Darwin’s East Point Reserve, more than two weeks after the man was last seen.

The man has been identified as Angelo, 44, who was reported missing on January 6 after he failed to return home. He was last seen three days earlier, on the evening of January 3, entering a service station on Bagot Road in Ludmilla at approximately 8:05pm.

CCTV footage released by police showed Angelo wearing a blue T-shirt with the word “Everlast” printed in white across the front as he entered the service station. Investigators believe that after leaving the premises on foot, he travelled along Wells Street before making his way toward the Fannie Bay or East Point area.

As days passed with no confirmed sightings, concerns for Angelo’s welfare grew. Northern Territory Police issued a public appeal for information on January 8, urging anyone who may have seen him or had relevant information to come forward.

Detective Sergeant Justine Dwyer said police pieced together Angelo’s last known movements using CCTV footage, witness accounts, and phone data.

“Once exiting the station on foot, police believed he travelled up Wells Street, Ludmilla, before making his way into Fannie Bay or East Point,” she said in a statement.

The search intensified this week after mobile phone triangulation identified East Point Reserve as the last known location of Angelo’s device. That information prompted police to launch a major search-and-rescue operation, involving resources across air, land, and sea.

On Tuesday afternoon, residents in the area reported seeing a police helicopter flying repeatedly between the coastline of East Point and inland areas stretching back toward Bagot Road. Police vehicles and personnel were also observed moving through dense scrubland behind the Minmarama Aboriginal community, as officers combed difficult terrain.

Images from the scene showed the helicopter hovering above the reserve, while ground crews methodically searched bushland known for its thick vegetation and rugged coastal cliffs.

In a statement shared on social media, the Northern Territory Police Force confirmed the operation was being supported by multiple specialist units.

“There is a high presence of police with members from the Search and Rescue Section, Territory Mounted Unit, Cultural Reform and General Duties within the vicinity,” the statement read.

Later that day, police confirmed that a body had been located during the search, bringing an end to 14 days of uncertainty and hope for Angelo’s family.

“Police are in contact with the man’s family and are providing support as formal identification is underway,” a spokesperson said.

While the discovery has devastated those closest to Angelo, police have stated that his death is not believed to be suspicious. As per standard procedure, a report will be prepared for the coroner, who will determine the official cause and circumstances of death.

Family members had earlier renewed their appeal for information, holding onto hope that Angelo might still be found alive. That hope was shared by many in the community, who followed the search closely and expressed their support online as police expanded the operation.

The outcome has left loved ones heartbroken, marking the end of a painful period filled with unanswered questions, waiting, and fear. For 14 days, Angelo’s disappearance remained a mystery, with every new update offering a glimmer of possibility — until the search reached its tragic conclusion.

The case has once again highlighted the challenges of searching vast natural areas surrounding Darwin, where dense bushland, coastal conditions, and extreme heat can complicate rescue efforts and investigations.

Northern Territory Police have thanked members of the public who assisted by sharing information and sightings during the search, and have asked that the family’s privacy be respected as they grieve.

While the operation has concluded, the impact of Angelo’s disappearance — and the loss now confirmed — will be felt long after the search crews have left East Point Reserve.