Search and Rescue Operation Underway for Missing Man After Abandoned Vehicle Found in Childers

Childers, QLD – June 22, 2025 — Queensland Police and emergency services have launched an urgent search and rescue operation for 61-year-old Glenn Courtis, whose vehicle was discovered abandoned in a rural area near Childers, raising serious concerns for his safety.

The investigation began after a dark-coloured 2016 Citroen C4, bearing Queensland registration 445MC3, was found on Chews Road in Childers at approximately 1:00 p.m. on Friday, June 20. Although the vehicle was discovered that day, it was not reported to police until the afternoon of Saturday, June 21.

Following the delayed report, officers initiated inquiries into the circumstances surrounding the vehicle and identified the registered owner as Glenn Courtis, a resident of Howard, a small town located roughly 45 kilometers southeast of Childers.

Police quickly established that Mr. Courtis has not been seen or heard from since before the vehicle was found, and his current whereabouts remain unknown. This prompted authorities to escalate the case into a full-scale search operation.

At approximately 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 22, police, together with volunteers from the State Emergency Service (SES), began combing the bushland surrounding Chews Road and the wider Childers area in an effort to locate any signs of Mr. Courtis or evidence that might explain his disappearance.

The terrain in the area is described as dense and remote, and officials say search conditions are challenging due to thick undergrowth and large tracts of farmland and bush.

Inspector Rachel Morrison, who is coordinating the operation, stated, “At this stage, our primary focus is locating Mr. Courtis as quickly as possible. We are following every lead and using all available resources to search the surrounding area. We’re asking anyone who may have seen Glenn or his vehicle over the past few days to come forward.”

Authorities have not ruled out any possibilities — including the chance that Mr. Courtis may have become disoriented, injured, or in distress after leaving his vehicle — and are treating the matter as a missing person case with urgent concern for welfare.

Glenn Courtis is described as:

• 61 years old
• Of medium build
• With short grey or white hair
• Possibly wearing casual outdoor clothing

Family and friends of Mr. Courtis are anxiously awaiting updates, urging members of the public to share any information that might help locate him.

Police are encouraging anyone who may have:

• Seen the Citroen C4 parked on or near Chews Road at any time from Friday, June 20 onward
• Spoken to or seen Glenn Courtis in recent days
• Or who may have CCTV, dashcam, or trail camera footage from the area

to come forward immediately.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Policelink at 13 14 44, or in case of urgent sightings, dial Triple Zero (000).

The search will continue throughout the day with ground crews, SES volunteers, and aerial support on standby as investigators work to trace Glenn Courtis’s last known movements.

This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as new information becomes available.