Combining their expertise to cast light on a mysterious cold case, a group of NSW podcast creators are determined to find answers to the disappearance of a Birmingham Gardens man.
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Actor and video producer Adam Drummond, investigative journalist Dan Johns and TV and film editor Matt Olsen, from Wagga, are determined to find out what happened to missing people.
Mr Johns, a former editor of The Daily Advertiser, brings more than 20 years of journalism experience.
The trio are working with former Griffith Local Area Commander, Detective Superintendent Michael Rowan, to ensure that the podcast does not interfere with any potential investigations.
"We are also constantly in contact with the family and friends to keep them updated," Mr Drummond said. "If you genuinely have the goal to uncover something new to help the family get closure, then your heart is in the right place, and that's how we are approaching it."
The first case in The Missing Files is Jayden Penno-Tompsett who was on a road trip from Newcastle to Cairns on New Year's Eve in 2017 when he reportedly ran into bushland at Charters Towers after an argument with a travelling partner and was never seen again.
The Missing Files podcast speaks with Jayden's family, some of his closest mates and seasoned police officers in a bid to uncover new leads. In episode one of the four-part series, released this month, Jayden's mother Rachel Penno spoke of the pain since her son's disappearance and urged authorities to look more closely at a mysterious property near where Jayden disappeared outside Charters Towers.
"There's a house there, a property, and it needs to be searched but nothing has been done," Ms Penno said.
The mother said she remained angry at Jayden's travelling companion for not reporting him missing earlier. Jayden wasn't reported missing until January 4, 2018, four days after he and his companion parted ways.
Best friend Jayson Hungerford told the podcast he feared Jayden may have stumbled onto a nearby property and, in a heightened state of emotion, been killed during an altercation with a property owner.
Other theories examined by the podcast include speculation Jayden was killed by a bikie gang over drug debt; committed suicide in a remote location; changed identities and fled to start a new life; or was the victim of a roaming serial killer on the notorious Flinders Highway.
"Jayden's loved ones have been subjected to unimaginable pain for three years now and we hope by keeping this case in the public eye, we can spark a lead and a breakthrough in the case," Mr Drummond said.