Search for missing fisherman Corey Feehan continues as family, volunteers comb bush around Freshwater shack

The family of missing Leeman fisherman Corey (Corrie) Feehan say they will not rest until they have answers, after more than 40 people joined a community search over the weekend. The 47-year-old was last seen on April 26 this year paddling a kayak near his shack off Freshwater Point, between Dongara and Leeman. Despite extensive land and sea operations, he has not been found, and his family has raised fears he may have met with foul play. Promoted through the Bring Corrie/Corey Feehan Home Facebook group, Saturday’s search ran from 8am to 4pm at Little Freshwater Bay on Indian Ocean Drive, north of Leeman. Volunteers joined canine trackers, divers, drone and dirt bike riders to comb through bushland and coastal areas. Mr Feehan’s mother, Julie Deery, said she was overwhelmed by the turnout, with about 45 people taking part. “They came from everywhere. A lot were friends of our families and anyone that knew Corey. Yeah, they’re all out there to help us. So, it was really good,” she said. “Some had come the night before and got everything ready for us. “We were able to make three search parties. We had the dogs out, we had divers, and we covered quite an extensive part of the bushland opposite Corey’s shack … but the bush was so dense we had to call it quits.” Ms Deery said the family was now weighing up whether to organise another search or continue raising funds through their GoFundMe page to hire a private investigator and divers. She said while police had done all they could, “nothing is adding up” and her instincts told her there may have been foul play. “The police have done everything they can within their framework, But unless I come up with any proof that there was foul play … well, then the police would turn the missing case into a criminal investigation. But until I get the proof, I can’t — we can’t — move on,” she said. “As a mum, I need the closure, my family needs the closure. “We have to find him, no matter the circumstances. And if it was foul play we need to get justice. “I want to send a message out to people to never, ever lose hope, just keep going, keep praying that you’re gonna find your loved one, just don’t give up.” Canine Trackers Perth founder Sonya Bowditch, who helped co-ordinate the search, said eliminating areas was important for both investigators and the family. “We had a designated area that we were searching, which was just off the coast from Corey’s shack, and we work in a grid pattern to search that area. And if there’s any scent beneath the water, the dogs would be able to pick up on it,” she said. “It was a really good turnout. We had line searches, off-road bikes, drone coverage, and our canine teams on land and in the water. Unfortunately we didn’t find anything, but it’s another area that has been eliminated.” Police investigations remain ongoing and they urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or report online at crimestopperswa.com.au