WA Police restart search for prospector after vehicle found near site where Carolina Wilga survived 11 nights

Police have restarted the search for a missing prospector, with a $500,000 reward offered for information leading to his whereabouts. His vehicle was found near the same remote bushland where German backpacker Carolina Wilga survived 11 nights alone earlier this year. Barry Podmore was last seen on December 4, 2024, at Karroun Hill, about 400 kilometres northeast of Perth, where he was believed to be prospecting for gold. His final known contact was a phone call on December 5, before he left his home in Beacon on December 6 in his camouflage-painted 1981 Mercedes Benz 4WD. In May this year, an independent missing persons tracker found Mr Podmore’s vehicle locked and abandoned. The tracker, a wilderness expert, was reportedly engaged by the Podmore family. The vehicle was found near the same remote bushland Ms Wilga survived 11 nights alone after a vehicle crash and head injury in July. The 26-year-old was found when she waved down local farmer Tania French, who spotted Ms Wilga walking along an unsealed track near Paynes Find, about 300km northeast of Perth. After his vehicle was discovered, Mr Podmore’s daughter, Lauren, told the ABC the find was “an absolute godsend”. She said it helped narrow the search area and brought the family one step closer to finding her father. “It’s a constant grief and struggle that is hard to describe as, without finding him, there isn’t that closure,” Ms Podmore said. “He loved the idea of finding gold and going prospecting. Us girls meant the world to him and he would do anything for us.” Before he disappeared, Ms Podmore said she and her father spoke twice a week. Her last contact with him was on December 5, the day before he left. His final message to her read: “Lauren dear Gal, I’m going out for the day tomorrow. So if you want, you can call me on your way home today.” “It ended with a beer cheers emoji, a peace sign, and a laughing face,” Ms Podmore said. Authorities describe Mr Podmore as caucasian, about 170cm tall, of solid build, with short grey hair and hazel eyes. This week, police confirmed the renewed search was under way, with officers from Southern Cross, Narembeen, and Bencubbin stations conducting land operations on foot across the area between Paynes Find and Southern Cross. A Facebook post from Bencubbin Police thanked those involved in the search and the local community for their ongoing support. “The search is part of ongoing efforts to locate missing prospector Mr Barry Podmore, who was last seen in December 2024,” the post read. Police are urging anyone with information about Mr Podmore’s whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via www.crimestopperswa.com.au A reward of $500,000 has been offered for information leading to his location.