Police find clothing believed to be Zane Stevens’ as family calls on public for help

Police have announced they are de-escalating the search for missing person Zane Stevens who was last seen 30km North of Broome a week ago, as his family calls on the public for answers.

The twenty-one year old Pilbara man’s car was found bogged in heavy marshland at Coconut Wells on Friday April 26.

He had travelled to the popular tourism destination with another man, who is yet to be identified to the public.

After attempting to free their car, police believe the two men took off on foot.

The pair found a nearby house, where they were both given water; after this, they continued walking and, at some point in the evening, separated.

Superintendent Steve Thompson told media, “When walking away [from the house] they’ve separated, the other male has come across another vehicle, who’s picked him up, they’ve conducted a search, and he’s come back to Broome.”

Mr Thompson said police had uncovered both tracks believed to be Mr Stevens and an item of his clothing.

“We employed our specialist trackers from Perth, where despite the difficult terrain in the large search area found foot marks, which are consistent with someone moving around the area that we think was Zane trying to recover the vehicle,” he said.

“All I can say at this stage is that we have recovered a piece of clothing that we believe belongs to Zane,” he said.

The extensive week-long search included the deployment of resources from Perth, such as helicopters and additional State Emergency Service workers.

Now Mr Stevens’ family is urging the public to please provide information on their beloved family member, and father to two-year-old daughter Zara Stevens.

Mr Stevens’ Aunt Tania Stevens said she doesn’t know how her nephew ended up in Coconut Wells, as he was initially travelling to a funeral in Carnarvon.

“I don’t know why he was visiting Coconut Wells, all I know if that he was supposed to attend a funeral in Carnarvon, but then he got sidetracked from the other gentlemen that was with him,” she said.

Ms Stevens said her nephew has impressive bush skills, which has led her to question the state of mind he was in when he bogged his car.

“I know that if he’s in the right state of mind, he wouldn’t have actually went in there and got his car bogged,” she said.

“It’s played on our mind, wondering what kind of state of mind he was in.”

Mr Stevens disappearance has devastated his Pilbara family.

“We are not coping well at all,” Tania said.

“Because all we want is him home and safe, its been too long that he’s been gone.. I’m sure somebody in the community may have seen him and given him a lift so please come forward and let us know where he is,” she said.

Superintendent Steve Thompson is still hopeful Mr Stevens will be located, but said concerns for his welfare grow as time goes on.

“We have deescalated the search at this stage, but continuing to do search efforts, but the longer the period [he isn’t found] obviously the more concerns we have.

Anyone who sees Mr Stevens is urged to contact police immediately on 131 444.