The Mysterious Case of Jay Notaro and How Private Investigators Help Find Missing Persons
Jay Notaro’s disappearance is a poignant example of how missing persons cases can be clouded in uncertainty.
A respected Queensland Police Detective, Notaro vanished while surfing at Broken Head Beach near Byron Bay on 25 March 2025, a day after his 45th birthday. His surfboard and car were discovered intact, yet he never returned.
Notaro was a strong swimmer with decades of experience, and had previously held roles such as Gold Coast Water Police and Coomera Station Commander. His absence was considered extremely out of character. Authorities launched a large-scale, multi‑agency search across land, sea and air. Teams including marine rescue, PolAir and surf lifesaving volunteers scoured areas around Lennox Head and Cape Byron for four days before suspending the official operation.
His belongings were found at the scene, but no clear signs pointed to what had happened. The unanswered questions left friends, family, and the community deeply shaken. Notaro’s body has not been found, and the mystery of his case has left his community in shock.
Why Do People Go Missing?
People go missing for all sorts of reasons – from personal struggles and mental health challenges to complex family situations or legal matters. Some disappearances are accidental, while others involve people who choose to remove themselves from contact.
While Jay Notaro’s disappearance was likely accidental, many similar cases involve an added layer of complexity. Sometimes, missing people don’t necessarily want to be found. Fortunately, when public agencies step down or exhaust their search capabilities, private investigators can offer focus and a fresh approach.
Last year, a veteran Sydney private investigator named Michael Rumore shared his story of tracking a missing teenager. According to The Daily Telegraph, Rumore located her at a tropical resort and safely reunited her with family, effectively closing what had become a deeply distressing case. He highlighted the complexity of tracing people who deliberately isolate themselves.
Another example is the disappearance of Queensland school teacher Marion Barter, last seen in 1997. Her daughter Sally Leydon’s podcast, The Lady Vanishes, reignited public interest and helped identify a Belgian conman, Ric Blum, as a person of interest. Leydon worked with private researchers and investigators to dig into financial fraud and travel records after official efforts stalled. The renewed scrutiny led to a coroner’s finding that Barter is presumed deceased and exposed serious police mishandling during the early stages of the case. The investigation presumably continues, all thanks to the efforts of skilled private researchers.
How Private Investigators Can Help Locate Missing Persons
Cases like these highlight the benefits that a fresh set of eyes can lend to an investigation, even after official efforts have failed to get answers. Private investigators are trained to look into areas others may have missed. When combined with a coherent strategy, the odds of finding new leads can be stacked in your favour.
At Lyonswood, our investigations typically begin with desktop research, leveraging resources such as:
- Public records
- Social media activity
- Paid subscription databases
We look through electoral rolls, ABN records, corporate registers, land titles, and more, cross-referencing these digital footprints with known facts relating to workplaces, previous addresses, contact lists, and any online mentions. Our team are experts in deep Google searching and advanced filtering techniques. When leads narrow, we transition to fieldwork, which might include discreet door knocks and local enquiries. In some cases, surveillance is required to confirm whether the person is actually residing at a suspected location.
Conducting Investigations Ethically and Within the Law
As private investigators, every step we take complies with Australian privacy law. We never conduct unlawful surveillance, nor do we intrude into private spaces without legal grounds. Our clients must also demonstrate a legitimate purpose for their investigation – be it financial, familial, or legal.
Following ethical, legal practices ensures that each search is handled with integrity, and that any findings can be used to support future legal or police action.
We’re transparent about what’s possible and what’s not. After all, we’re often working with limited data, and not every search yields a result. Once an investigation has concluded, clear and actionable reports are delivered with findings that, in some cases, can be used to inform legal decisions or further police action.
Why Professional Help Matters in Missing Persons Cases
The disappearance of Jay Notaro reflects how quickly a person can vanish without apparent cause or intent. While the case remains unsolved, we’ve seen many cases where someone deliberately walks away from their life, or whose circumstances have led them off the grid.
In Sydney, where the population is vast and transient, answers can be hard to come by without professional help.
Need Help Finding a Missing Person? We Can Help
If you’re dealing with the uncertainty of a missing person, Lyonswood can help. Our licensed private investigators use digital forensics, on-the-ground experience, and a deep understanding of Sydney and Australia to get results. Don’t wait for hope to fade – contact Lyonswood Investigations and let us help bring clarity to your situation.
