Wollongong Man Russell Wright Still Missing in 2025

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Police have renewed their appeal for public assistance in locating Russell Gregory Wright, who has been missing since 2022, as part of this year’s Forever Loved Missing Persons Week campaign.

Mr Wright, aged 57, was last seen by his mother in Wollongong, where he lived on Rowland Avenue. He is believed to have later travelled to Ulladulla or the Blue Mountains, areas he was known to frequent.

Authorities say that after leaving Wollongong, Mr Wright was living in bushland areas near Ulladulla, and later in Linden, located in the Blue Mountains region. However, he has not been in contact with his family or police since early 2023.

The last confirmed sighting of Mr Wright was on Friday, 20 January 2023, when police spoke with him at Mount Druitt Railway Station. At the time, he was known to regularly use public transport, particularly trains.

Despite sustained efforts by officers from the Lake Illawarra Police District and the NSW Police Missing Persons Registry, Mr Wright has not been located. Investigators continue to follow up leads and have urged members of the public who may have seen him or have any relevant information to come forward.

His mother, Margaret Keats, issued an emotional statement during the awareness campaign, saying, “We just want to know that Russell is safe. Not a day goes by that we don’t think about him. If anyone has seen him or spoken to him, please let the police know.”

Mr Wright is described as being of Caucasian appearance, with a fair complexion, standing between 175cm and 185cm tall. He is bald with some short grey hair and has hazel-coloured eyes. He also has several distinctive tattoos. Both forearms feature tattoos of women, while his upper arms and throat bear a mix of inked images.

The renewed appeal forms part of Missing Persons Week 2025, a national initiative running from Sunday 3 August to Saturday 9 August. The campaign raises awareness about the long-term impact of missing persons cases on families and communities, and encourages the public to play an active role in helping to find those who are still missing.

Anyone with information about Mr Wright’s whereabouts is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or to submit a report online.