On Tuesday of this week, Victorian police confirmed that remains found in a mine shaft in the Lerderderg State Park, an hour outside of Melbourne, were those of missing 17-year-old Cayleb Hough.
Hough vanished just days before Christmas last year, and police have since confirmed that he was murdered, saying that an “older male acquaintance” seen with him before his disappearance may prove key to the investigation.
The pair were spotted together in the man’s 2003 Ford Falcon XR6 in the suburb of Highett, in the early hours of December 20 last year, after attending a house party in the area.
The car was found abandoned at Crown Casino a month later, and the man, who went overseas for two weeks after Cayleb was repoted missing, has since returned to Australia and been interviewed by police.
While police have not revealed the man’s statements, it is understood he may be withholding vital information, and overnight, Cayleb’s father Steven Hough made a desperate appeal to him and any other possible witnesses to come forward.
Hough told News Corp:
“I’m calling on that person, the owner of the car, to come forward and provide the information. That person, and anyone else who has information, owes it to Cayleb and to our friends and community, who have supported us so much in our efforts to find him, to do the right thing.”
Yesterday, Hough’s family made a post to the Help find Cayleb Hough Facebook page, thanking those who had supported them and vowing to continue fighting for justice. They said:
Words really can’t describe the on-going pain and suffering we have all had to endure through this horrific experience and it will continue.
All of us close to Cayleb knew from the start that things didn’t add up and that something wasn’t right.
No matter what though we never gave up hope that we would find him safe but to everyone’s complete shock, our worst fears were confirmed which has left a [hole] in our hearts that will never be filled.Cayleb’s 4 sisters will never have their big brother to look after them ever again, their hero, their idol.
Our Boy of 17 years old, taken from us.
Confused, distraught, feelings of hopelessness and probably most of all ANGER pumps through our veins but now as a family is our time to grieve.
Say a prayer for Cayleb and those who knew him.
Our Campaign is not over and we will never give up until the evil monsters that not only hurt our boy, but took his life are brought to Justice.
Our FB page will stay active in hope that people continue to help us maintain awareness until Cayleb gets the Justice he deserves.
Police received new information this week, indicating that Cayleb was seen in Dandenong, on either Power St or Clow St, late at night on December 20 or in the early hours of December 21, and they believe that he was likely dropped off nearby.
They are investigating CCTV footage from the area, and are also trying to locate a pair of Black Adidias high tops and a Samsung phone that they believe were were thrown from a taxi in Springvale South around 10pm-11.30pm on December 21.
Detective Senior Sergeant Craig Rhodes said of the ongoing investigation:
“The response from the public has been excellent. I have no doubt somebody knows who was responsible. I think that the majority of Cayleb’s friends genuinely believed he (intentionally) went missing and that now that they realise this wasn’t the case, are rethinking what they may have been told (about his disappearance).”
Anyone with information is urged to contact CrimeStoppers on 1800 333 000.
Source: News Corp.
Image: Supplied.
