Missing persons’ families keep Loren going 24/7

Missing persons’ families keep Loren going 24/7

ABC, 28 July 2018

Loren O’Keeffe, inspired by her brother Daniel’s disappearance in 2011, has devoted her life to helping families of missing persons through the Missing Persons Advocacy Network (MPAN). With statistics showing someone goes missing every 14 minutes in Australia, Loren aims to keep the stories of long-term missing individuals alive. This Missing Persons Week, 100,000 coffee cups featuring images and narratives of the missing will be distributed across Melbourne cafes to spark conversations.

Among those Loren supports is Rachael O’Keane, whose brother Donny Govan disappeared at 16, leaving her in unresolved grief. Rachael describes the anguish of living in limbo, unable to fully mourn without closure. Loren also connects with Reva and Jayant Chitnis, whose son Tej has been missing for over two years. They recall the emotional turmoil of finding reminders of him at home. Loren’s compassionate approach provides these families with hope and a sense of community as they navigate the complexities of ambiguous loss together, transforming her personal tragedy into a beacon of support for others facing similar heartbreak.