The Northern Territory does missing people searches very well.
The great pity is that we need to do them at all.
Really the last thing the NT needs, and especially the family of Alex Rosenberg would want, is another mystery.
An inquest in Katherine was told a few months ago about the exhaustive search for missing Larrimah man Paddy Moriarty.
Larrimah is a very small town about two hours down drive the Stuart Highway from Katherine.
All credit was given to NT police, volunteers from Katherine and many others for the “leave no stone unturned” approach to the search last December.
Every possible resource from land, air and water was thrown into the Rosenberg search as well.
Just over half a year after Larrimah we had the same unfortunate necessity to do the same, this time at a popular tourist attraction, Edith Falls.
Inevitably, local people have wondered whether the two disappearances are somehow linked.
Mr Moriarty was aged 70, Mr Roseberg aged 67, they wouldn’t have known each other.
After 11 days of searching through rugged bush, which resulted in at least one police officer requiring medical attention for heat stroke, the search for Mr Rosenberg is also over.
Police divers have scoured the famous rockholes, helicopters have been buzzing the skies looking from the air, now with temperatures soaring to 38 degrees on Sunday, it is over.
Now the search has become “a case” which has been handed over to Katherine detectives.
They will now try and solve the mystery of Mr Rosenberg.
Police have today suspended the search and rescue operation following exhaustive attempts via land, water and air to locate Mr Rosenberg.
Acting Superintendent Mark Malogorski said police, along with a large contingent of Parks and Wildlife staff and Northern Territory Emergency Services volunteers, searched a large area in sometimes difficult conditions.
“The search conditions included high temperatures, harsh terrain, and vast land and water areas,” Supt Malogorski said.
“Police have used extensive resources, including officers from the Territory Response Group and Water Police along with helicopter support to search the area.
“Despite our efforts, we have been unable to locate Mr Rosenberg.”
Mr Rosenberg was last seen at Edith Falls on August 19.
He had been travelling alone around Australia at the time he went missing and it is believed he had intentions to head south.
Police do not currently believe there are any suspicious circumstances related to his disappearance.
The ‘Wolf Creek’ style theory is not holding sway with officials.
Anyone with information on his whereabouts is asked to contact police on 131 444 or anonymously on Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Chris McLennan
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
ACM national rural property writer based in Bacchus Marsh, Victoria. Career journalist. Multi award winner.
