“I CAN’T SLEEP KNOWING HE’S OUT THERE”: MOTHER’S WORST NIGHTMARE AS SEARCH FOR MISSING 17-YEAR-OLD BOY WITH AUTISM ENTERS FIFTH DAY

WALHALLA EAST, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA — November 10, 2026

A mother is living through an unimaginable nightmare as an extensive search continues for her 17-year-old son, who vanished during a camping trip in the Australian bush.

William, also known as Will, disappeared on Friday afternoon, November 6, while camping with a teenage friend near Stoney Creek Road and the T2 Track in Walhalla East, in Victoria’s Gippsland region.

As the search enters its fifth calendar day, his family is desperately waiting for news. His mother, Elizabeth Barkley, fears her son may be cold, hungry, frightened and unable to find his way home.

William has Level 2 autism and anxiety, has very little camping experience and was unfamiliar with the surrounding terrain.

What makes the situation even more concerning is that he reportedly left without his mobile phone, wearing only shorts and work boots.

A SHORT WALK — AND THEN HE VANISHED

William was camping with another teenager for the weekend after the pair were dropped off near their campsite.

At approximately 4 p.m. on Friday, William walked a short distance toward another part of the camp to collect supplies.

The walk was expected to take around 20 minutes.

But when he failed to return, his friend began searching the surrounding area and calling out for him. William could not be found.

Police believe the teenager may have become disoriented and accidentally walked in the wrong direction through the dense bushland.

His mobile phone had been left behind at the campsite, leaving him without an easy way to contact his family or emergency services.

HIS MOTHER FEARS HE MAY BE TERRIFIED AND LOST

Speaking to ABC News, Elizabeth described her son’s disappearance as one of the worst nightmares a parent could experience.

She explained that William has Level 2 autism and anxiety, struggles with unfamiliar surroundings and has little experience navigating the bush.

She fears he may become overwhelmed and panic as he tries to find his way back.

“At the moment, he’d probably be very stressed and panicking,” she said.

Elizabeth also revealed that William was wearing only shorts and work boots when he disappeared. Temperatures in the area dropped to around 36 degrees Fahrenheit overnight — approximately 2 degrees Celsius.

“I can’t sleep knowing I’m safe in bed and warm and he is somewhere out there and he’d be so scared,” she said.

The thought of her son spending cold nights alone, without adequate clothing or access to food and water, has left her devastated.

THE DISCOVERY OF AN ESKY — BUT NO SIGN OF WILLIAM

During the search, police located William’s esky, an Australian term for a portable cooler, containing food and water.

However, finding the cooler did not lead rescuers to the missing teenager.

Elizabeth said the family still had no idea what had happened after he walked away.

“I just don’t know what’s happened … we’ve found the esky, but there’s just no sign of him. It’s like he’s just vanished,” she said.

Other camping equipment also remains missing, including a blue or black pillow, a small table and an old fishing tackle box.

His family is urging anyone who may have seen these belongings in the area to contact police.

POLICE WANT TO SPEAK WITH A COUPLE WHO STOPPED TO HELP

Investigators are also appealing for a man and a woman who encountered William’s teenage friend during the initial search to come forward.

According to ABC News, the couple were travelling in an older-style white utility vehicle with a canopy.

They reportedly stopped to help the friend collect camping equipment and transported him back up the track to meet Elizabeth.

Police believe the pair may have information that could help clarify the timeline of events and assist the ongoing investigation.

Authorities are asking the couple to contact police, emphasizing that they may hold important information about what happened that evening.

A MASSIVE SEARCH THROUGH DANGEROUS BUSH TERRAIN

Victoria Police have launched an extensive operation involving specialist officers and emergency personnel.

The search has included police search-and-rescue teams, the Dog Squad, mounted officers, motorcycle units, drones, helicopters, water police and personnel searching on foot.

A command post was established at Cowwarr to coordinate the operation.

On November 10, ABC News reported that approximately 80 emergency service personnel had searched the surrounding bushland the previous day.

Acting Inspector Jason Benbow said William was fit, healthy, tall and physically strong, giving authorities reason to remain hopeful.

“We’re really hanging on to hope that his health will get him through for these days until we can find him,” he said.

He also made clear that police were not planning to reduce the search effort.

“We are throwing absolutely everything at this and we will continue. We have no plans to scale it back at any time soon,” he said.

The terrain remains a major challenge. Dense vegetation, difficult ground conditions and cold overnight temperatures have increased concerns for William’s safety.

“I JUST WANT HIM BACK HOME”

Elizabeth has described William as a good kid who loves football and soccer.

She also believes he would likely speak to anyone he encountered while trying to find help.

The family is asking residents, travellers and anyone who visited the Walhalla East area around November 6 to think carefully about anything unusual they may have seen.

For Elizabeth, every passing hour brings more uncertainty.

“You don’t know where he is, whether he is still alive, if he is OK. I just want him back home,” she said.

Police continue to urge anyone with information to contact authorities. Anyone who sees William should call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Information can also be provided to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Sale Police Station on (03) 5142 2200.

A family is waiting for their son. Search teams are continuing through difficult bushland. And despite the uncertainty, authorities say they remain hopeful of bringing William home safely.

A MOTHER IS WAITING. AN ENTIRE SEARCH OPERATION IS STILL UNDERWAY. AND THE HOPE OF FINDING WILLIAM ALIVE HAS NOT BEEN GIVEN UP.