Rodney Stevens

Police investigating the suspicious disappearance of former Maclean man, Daniel Copeland, have conducted a two-day land and water search at Wooli, but with no major breakthroughs the mystery of what happened to him remains.

The 40-year-old was last seen on River Street in Maclean at roughly 4.30pm on Father’s Day, Sunday September 3.

At 2.35pm on Father’s Day, Sunday September 3, 2023, Mr Copeland was spotted on CCTV at a bottle shop on Centenary Drive in Maclean.

The next day, he was captured travelling in the Wooli area in a silver 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer.

When he was reported missing, officers attached to Coffs/Clarence Police District commenced inquiries to locate him before the matter was taken carriage of by State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad under Strike Force Illfracombe.

As inquiries continue, on Wednesday and Thursday, February 14 and 15, strike force detectives were assisted by the Marine Area Command, Police Divers, the Dog Squad, PolAir, Northern Region officers, and the NSW SES to conduct a land and water search of the Wooli Wooli River and its islands.

Homicide Squad Commander, Detective Superintendent Daniel Doherty, said investigations to this point have led detectives to the Wooli Wooli River.

He said Mr Copeland didn’t travel to Wooli alone and could have “met with foul play”.

“It’s a suspicious disappearance,” he said.

“He was supposed to go to work and hasn’t accessed any accounts, so that has led us to the conclusion that there is foul play involved.

“Ultimately this is an exercise in trying to find answers for the family, friends and loved ones of Daniel Copeland.

“As our inquiries continue, we’re also continuing to appeal to anyone who may have seen anything suspicious around the time of Daniel’s disappearance to come forward.”

Mr Copeland moved from the Toowoomba area in Queensland to Maclean for work and police believe someone there may have information about his disappearance.

“While the investigation has led us to Wooli, we also believe Daniel may have ties to Toowoomba in Queensland and we’re appealing to anyone up there to also come forward with information that could assist,” Supt Doherty said.

Mr Copeland is of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, of solid build, with a blond mohawk, and a full sleeve tattoo on his right arm.

He was last seen wearing North Queensland Cowboys NRL shorts, a green long-sleeve shirt and a black hoodie.

Anyone with any information about Mr Copeland is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.