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Luis Fernandez was a 78-year-old resident of Eastlakes, New South Wales.
He mysteriously vanished on December 25, 2018, leaving his family and community with countless questions.
On Christmas Day, Luis spent time with his family at a gathering, which turned out to be the last time anyone saw or heard from him.
The mystery surrounding what could have happened to this kind and loving man continues to baffle many.
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| Luis Fernandez |
A Man of Many Journeys: Luis Fernandez’s Life Story
Luiz Fernandez was born in 1940 in Uruguay.
He lived a life of adventure, hard work, and family.
Luis was one of 13 siblings who left home at an early age to work and support himself.
His diverse career ranged from being a boilermaker to breaking horses and even working for Australia Post.
Those who knew Luis Fernandez described him as a man with a strong work ethic and a love for independence.
In his younger days, he enjoyed dancing with friends.
He had a passion for boxing, and trained professionally until an injury ended his career.
He had a deep love for horses, motorcycles, Western films, and Bruce Lee movies, reflecting his vibrant personality.
Luis migrated to Australia, where he built a life over 50 years.
He was deeply loved by his family, particularly his niece, Raquel Fernandez, and her children, with whom he had lived for some time.
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| Luis Fernandez |
The Day He Was Last Seen: Christmas Disappearance
On December 25, 2018, Luis Fernandez spent time with his family at his Eastlakes home in Sydney.
Sadly, this was the last time they would ever see him.
By the next day, which was Boxing Day, no one was able to get in touch with him.
Luis was reported missing on January 1, 2019.
This was after family members realized they hadn't heard from him in the days following Christmas.
His sudden disappearance left his family deeply worried, particularly given his medical conditions.
Medical Worries: A Man in Need of Urgent Help
Luis Fernandez was dealing with several serious medical conditions at the time of his disappearance.
He had a history of hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, and angina, requiring constant medication.
Additionally, he had experienced cognitive decline, which may have contributed to moments of confusion and paranoid thoughts.
In early December 2018, just weeks before his disappearance, Luis’s niece noticed him acting strangely.
He was shining a flashlight around the room and asking unusual questions.
Luis Fernandez also expressed fears about his living situation, becoming more paranoid over time.
He believed people in his apartment complex were out to harm him.
These troubling behaviors, coupled with his refusal to properly take his medications, had his family increasingly worried.
They even questioned whether he could continue living independently.
His niece, Raquel Fernandez, had witnessed Luis struggling to manage on his own.
She noticed signs of mental disorientation that grew more frequent before his disappearance.
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| Police released CCTV footage of Mr Fernandez on December 27 |
Reported Sightings of Luis Fernandez
Investigations revealed that Luis had likely been seen alive on December 28, 2018, at Glenfield Station.
How and why he ended up there remains a mystery.
Was it deliberate, or did his confused state lead him there by accident?
Despite thorough investigations into this sighting, Luis’s whereabouts remain unknown.
In addition to this sightings, several other potential sightings of Luis Fernandez were reported by the public.
However, upon investigation, most of these reports were ruled out or considered unreliable. These include:
A) Luis Fernandez was reportedly seen in Forster Tuncurry on 31st December 2018.
Due to the limited details provided, the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) was unable to verify the accuracy of this sighting.
B) A report suggested that Luis was spotted at a liquor store in Little Bay on 2nd January 2019
However, after police reviewed CCTV footage from the store, they confirmed the individual seen was not him.
C) On the same day, another report claimed Luis was seen at Central Station in Sydney, asking someone for a cigarette.
Despite the description provided, this sighting was dismissed as unreliable.
Luis did not smoke, and the description did not match him.
Additionally, CCTV footage could not be retrieved to verify this report.
D) Luis was reportedly seen at a bus stop in Eastlakes on 4th January 2019.
Although there was no footage, investigators later confirmed the individual sighted at a nearby shopping center was not Luis Fernandez.
E) A sighting of Luis was reported at a 7-Eleven store in Casula on 9th January 2019.
Upon reviewing CCTV footage, police concluded that the person in question was not him.
F) A man matching Luis's description was reportedly seen on a street in Campbelltown on 10 January 2019.
However, the investigating officers did not consider this report credible due to insufficient information regarding the location and description.
Between February and April 2019, several additional sightings were reported.
After reviewing each case, police discounted all of them as unreliable.
What Happened to Luis? Unanswered Questions and Theories
Luis Fernandez’s disappearance has left many questions unanswered.
Several theories have surfaced regarding his disappearance:
1. Medical Crisis: Given Luis’s serious heart conditions and cognitive decline, it's possible he suffered a medical emergency and collapsed in an isolated area.
His mental state at the time suggests he may have been disoriented or lost.
2. Accidental Death: Another theory is that Luis Fernandez may have had an accident.
This theory suggests he might have fallen or become incapacitated, with no one nearby to help.
The area surrounding Glenfield Station has many isolated spots, where someone could easily go unnoticed.
3. Foul Play: No evidence has been found to suggest foul play.
However, some family members have wondered if someone might have taken advantage of Luis's vulnerable state.
4. Intentional Disappearance: Luis Fernandez’s increasing paranoia and dissatisfaction with his living conditions have led some to speculate that he may have chosen to leave.
They believe he could have been seeking a fresh start or trying to avoid perceived threats.
None of these theories have been confirmed, leaving the mystery of what happened to Luis Fernandez unsolved.
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| Luis Fernandez's niece, Raquel Fernandez |
The Search for Answers: Inquests, Investigations, and Ongoing Efforts
After Luis was reported missing, the New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF) launched an extensive search.
This included speaking with witnesses, reviewing CCTV footage, and searching the areas around Glenfield Station.
Despite these efforts, there was no sign of Luis Fernandez.
In February 2023, an inquest into Luis’s disappearance was held at the Coroner’s Court of New South Wales.
The inquest sought to determine if Luis was indeed deceased.
While Magistrate Derek Lee concluded that Luis had likely died sometime after December 28, 2018, no definitive cause or location of death could be established.
The inquest raised concerns about how intelligence reports were shared during the investigation.
It included recommendations to enhance the process for handling future missing persons cases..
However, for Luis’s family, these procedural insights offered little comfort.
They still didn’t have answers as to what happened to their beloved uncle.
Luis Fernandez’s case remains open, and the authorities continue to urge anyone with information to come forward.
Holding on to Hope: A Family in Pain
Luis Fernandez’s family has endured unimaginable pain since his disappearance.
His son, Shengo, describes the heartache of losing his father not once, but twice.
Shengo was Luis Fernandez's son from a previous relationship, and they only met for the first time when Shengo was already an adult.
His niece, Raquel, who had been so close to him, struggles to comprehend how a man so loved could simply vanish.
The lack of closure has made the situation even more difficult for the family.
They continue to hope for answers, but the passing years have done little to ease their sorrow.
The disappearance of Luis Fernandez remains an open wound for his family and a troubling mystery for the authorities.
Despite the inquest and the investigations, there are still no concrete answers about what happened to him after December 28, 2018.
For now, the Fernandez family can only hope that someone, somewhere, has the information needed to bring them the closure they so desperately seek.
If you know anything about Luis’s disappearance, please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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