Local police have launched a new search for a missing Queensland police officer despite authorities calling off the official search.
Detective Inspector Jay Notaro, 45, disappeared on March 25 after he was spotted going for a surf at Broken Head near Byron Bay in northeastern NSW.
An extensive water, land and aerial search was launched at 12.40pm the following day after he failed to report for duty at Ipswich Police Station, west of Brisbane.
Search crews discovered his surfboard – with the leg rope attached – undamaged on the sand, while officers found his car and keys in a carpark about 500metres away.
NSW Police announced the multi-agency search was suspended on Friday as rough weather conditions hindered efforts to locate Insp Notaro.
‘The coordinated multi-agency search for a missing 45-year-old man at Broken Head on the Far North Coast has been suspended,’ NSW Police said in a statement.
‘While the multi-agency coordinated search has been suspended, taskings by local police and Marine Area Command will continue in the area over coming days.’
Local Byron Bay police, along with Polair, reignited the search for Insp Notaro and were seen searching Broken Head Beach on Monday morning.
Detective Inspector Jay Notaro, 45, disappeared on March 25 after he was spotted going for a surf at Broken Head near Byron Bay in northeastern NSW
By Monday afternoon, police focused their attention on a stretch of water at North Seven Mile Beach and were spotted using drones in their search of the area.
Police told the community they were searching for a black surf shirt and pair of boardshorts.
Insp Notaro was part of an inner circle of surfing mates which included Hollywood A-Lister Chris Hemsworth, 41, according to The Courier Mail.
Hemsworth was seen speaking with police in the parking lot of Broken Head Reserve just 9km south of his hometown Byron Bay.
He was surrounded by five officers and two police cars and was seen gesturing as he answered their questions.
Friends of Insp Notaro said he frequented Broken Head and often drove down from his Gold Coast home to surf with Hemsworth and former pro surfer Luke Munro.
At the time of his disappearance, Insp Notaro was reportedly staying in the Byron Bay area for several days ahead of his 45th birthday last Monday.
Insp Notaro was reportedly due to attend a birthday celebration dinner on Tuesday night with his friends but pulled out with complaints he was feeling unwell.
A multi-agency search was launched after Insp Notaro failed to report for duty at Ipswich Police Station, west of Brisbane, the following day
Search crews discovered his surfboard – with the leg rope attached – undamaged on the sand, while officers found his car and keys in a carpark about 500metres away
He was then last seen on CCTV footage pulling into the Broken Head car park at around dawn on March 25.
The lack of damage to Insp Notaro’s board, and the benign surf conditions have made his disappearance all the more perplexing.
‘The condition of that surfboard was unremarkable – there was no damage and the leg rope was fully intact,’ NSW Detective Inspector Matt Zimmer said.
‘The inspector is a very strong swimmer who is a previous officer in charge of the Queensland water police… and the conditions that presented over the past few days were quite calm.
‘He would be extremely capable of managing those conditions due to his experience, [he was] an extremely fit man as well.’
Insp Notaro quickly rose through the ranks as a homicide investigator after first joining Queensland police in Townsville in 2003.
He was instrumental in solving major cases including the bikie-linked slaying of Gold Coast victim Greg Dufty.
He received a ‘compassion in policing’ award by the Queensland Homicide Victims Support Group for support he offered Mr Dufty’s partner and family.
Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth was spotted helping police in their search for the officer. It’s understood Insp Notaro was part of an inner circle of surfing mates which included the A-Lister
Local Byron Bay police, along with Polair, reignited the search for Insp Notaro and were seen searching Broken Head Beach on Monday
He then served in roles including officer in charge of the Gold Coast water police and Coomera police station.
Insp Notaro recently transferred to Ipswich after being promoted to inspector.
His family and friends have refused to give up hope and were spotted searching for him over the weekend, with many sharing heartfelt messages on social media.
‘Our search has not ended,’ Insp Notaro’s mum Deb wrote on Saturday.
‘Back to Byron today, we will bring my boy home. We need as many eyes as possible. Your Mama loves you sooooo much.’
Insp Notaro’s sister Hayley also shared a photo to social media of the beloved officer holding his niece on his shoulder with the caption: ‘The best uncle in the world.’
