Advertisement

Mine shaft clue could prove crucial to Victorian murder mystery

The discovery of a leather shoe in a Victorian mine shaft could provide a crucial breakthrough in the search for a schoolboy who vanished more than 40 years ago.

It is just like the pair 12-year-old Maryborough boy Terry Floyd was wearing when he vanished in 1975.

Terry was hitchhiking on the Pyrenees Highway between Avoca and Maryborough, 42 years ago, but was never seen again.

12-year-old Maryborough boy Terry Floyd vanished in 1975. Pictures: Supplied
12-year-old Maryborough boy Terry Floyd vanished in 1975. Pictures: Supplied

Investigations have led police to believe he was abducted and murdered.

His remains have never been found but his devoted younger brother Darryl refuses to give up the search.

Daryl has been digging at the mine intermittently for the past seven years, while his team of amateur miners have sifted through at least 30 buckets of gravel, rocks and rubbish each weekend since February.

Darryl (bottom) has never stopped searching for his older brother Terry (middle) in 42 years. Picture: Supplied
Darryl (bottom) has never stopped searching for his older brother Terry (middle) in 42 years. Picture: Supplied

He believes his brother's body was dumped here.

The tired and dirty piece of leather was spotted by one of Darryl's dedicated volunteers.

“It is a kid's shoe it's a size 6," he told 7 News.

A leather shoe found in a mine shaft matches the size and style of those Terry was wearing when he disappeared. Pictures: 7 News
A leather shoe found in a mine shaft matches the size and style of those Terry was wearing when he disappeared. Pictures: 7 News

"We have replica shoes on site and we've married it up beside that and it's the spitting image and spitting size of that particular shoe.

"It was gut wrenching sort of stuff. You had your heart in your mouth but it's what we're here for.

"...We're here to find his remains and to finally bring him home."

Amateur miners sift through buckets of gravel, rocks and rubbish each weekend. Picture: 7 News
Amateur miners sift through buckets of gravel, rocks and rubbish each weekend. Picture: 7 News

Volunteer Simon Davidson said God was on their side when they made the discovery.

"We watch everything that comes out but it was just luck and good fortune that it was there and we spotted it," he said.

Police will now analyse the shoe but Daryl Floyd is hopeful it belongs to his older brother.

Darryl is hoping to solve the mystery of what happened to his brother and best mate. Picture: 7 News
Darryl is hoping to solve the mystery of what happened to his brother and best mate. Picture: 7 News

"He wasn't only just my brother he was also my best mate. I made a promise to my parents that I'd never give up until I found him and we're going to keep going until that happens," he said.

No one's been convicted over Terry's disappearance despite a coroner finding he was abducted and murdered.

There's a $1 million reward for information that leads to a conviction.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.