Aussie family's desperate plea after 'doting dad' suddenly vanishes

The family of a man who vanished from his hometown in NSW is desperate to have him home, with his five-year-old daughter "missing her daddy" desperately.

Leon Tiere, 40, was last seen arriving home to his Fairy Meadow property near Wollongong last Wednesday at around 10 pm after visiting a local wharf — an activity he did often — but when his family woke, he was nowhere to be seen.

His disappearance comes almost one year after losing his wife, which is "still raw" for the extended family, a family friend told Yahoo News Australia.

'She just wants her daddy home'

"It's really concerning," said the woman whose husband grew up with Leon. "It's completely out of character for him. He's never done anything like this and he wouldn't just leave his daughter.

"She's only so small, so she misses him. She just wants her daddy home."

The family friend said his disappearance has been "tough for the family". It's weighing heavily on them and they just want him home for her," she said.

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'No trace' of Aussie dad after extensive search

Police and family members have conducted an extensive search around the Wollongong area, as well as Griffith where he lived before moving about a year ago. NSW Police confirmed to Yahoo News Australia he may be driving a blue Mazda SUV, however, there have been no sightings of the vehicle.

Family members have searched local petrol stations, ports and truck stops in the hope someone has seen the 40-year-old who's described by loved ones as a "positive person" and "doting father".

"At this stage, there's just no clue," said his friend, revealing there's been no trace of his phone or bank transactions. Leon is known to frequent the Wollongong, Fairy Meadows and Minchinbury areas, police said.

"I really hope that we can find him so he can return to his little girl," the friend said. "It's not right. The family is just desperate to find out what's happened and where he might be".

In a desperate post on Facebook, one of Leon's siblings Pamela said the family is "heartbroken and devastated" and urged her brother to "please come home". "Your daughter Hope is looking for you and your family are all worried," she said. "Come home my brother, we all love you so much".

Leon is described as being of Pacific Islander/Maori appearance, between 180-185cm tall, large build, black hair and brown eyes. Anyone who sees Leon or has any information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Wollongong police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

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