A graphic design influencer has tragically been found dead four weeks after vanishing in Queensland’s Whitsundays region.
Joel Pringle, 40, was last seen at an address on Waite Creek Court, Cannonvale, around 4.30pm on Monday August 19.
His disappearance sparked a massive search effort, with local volunteers assisting his family and authorities to scour the Conway National Park area where his phone was last detected.
His partner Eve Houghton announced on Wednesday that their search efforts had sadly come to an end.
‘It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Joel was found late yesterday evening. Unfortunately he passed away,’ she wrote in a Facebook group dedicated to the search.
‘We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has come together in the search for Joel – family, friends, and the many people who traveled from far and wide to help.
‘We are incredibly thankful to the police, water police, SES, and local businesses that displayed flyers and posters.
‘To everyone who offered their support and kindness – your love and care will forever be treasured by Joel’s family and close friends.’
Joel Pringle pictured with his partner Eve Houghton
Joel was an Instagram influencer who ran a self-titled logo designing company, selling iconic cartoon-style sketches.
His logos were used by businesses across the world, with some of his big brand clients including Foot Locker, The Mad Hueys, KFC, and Pringles.
Originally from Melbourne, Pringle and his family made a sea change to the Whitsundays in 2019 to live on a yacht, sharing their journey online with his more than 44,000 followers.
In recent years, he used his platform to spruik the benefits of a digital nomad lifestyle, offering classes to teach others how to start their own businesses.
Photos posted online show Pringle, his partner, and their two young sons, enjoying life among the pristine waters and lush wilderness of tropical north Queensland.
In recent months, he had shared exciting new upcoming personal and professional projects, including plans to build a home on a block of land the couple purchased in the Whitsundays Hinterland.
In January, he shared a post of him alongside his yellow porche, captioned: ‘POV [point of view] you made it.’
‘Keep going! Anythings possible!!’ he wrote.
The graphic designer has more than 44,000 followers on Instagram, where he shared his idyllic digital nomad lifestyle
Pictured are designs he made for Cronulla Beer company
‘2016 hit hard, 2020-22 was hard, now I have been diagnosed with autoimmunity. But it’s all good baby baby! Still we rise!!
‘More than ever I’m sure my purpose here is to help people rise up, no matter what is thrown at them or me. I want you to be able to look at me struggling, but winning anyway.’
Two months later, he urged his followers to beware of the ‘silent killer’ – letting your dreams slip away.
‘It’s those little things that you tell yourself you’re fine with when you can feel in your body that you’re not,’ he wrote.
‘Those little things that will make you look back at the last decade or two with regret and worry that you never lived up to your potential.
‘Those little things that slowly niggle away at the fire inside you.
‘Don’t let yourself slip into that trap. Don’t let anything stand in your way! Go get it!’
He vanished four weeks ago along with his white Holden Crewman ute with a metal tray (pictured)
In his last post on Instagram, just days before he vanished, Pringle beamed with joy as he told followers he had just completed an early morning gym session.
‘Good morning everybody! It’s bright and early this morning, I think it’s in the fives baby – I think it’s in the fives!
‘This is the first time I have been up in the fives in about a year! About a whole year. That’s amazing. Woo!
‘Gym work out done! Breakfast about to be cooked. Your logos also about to be cooked.’
Worried relatives raised the alarm after the father vanished last month, along with his white Holden Crewman ute.
He had celebrated his 40th birthday on August 14 – just five days before going missing.
The death is being treated as non-suspicious.
A report will be prepared for the coroner.
